GYB/CEDO Ebigo Foundation disburses 10million naira to budding entrepreneurs »

…as stakeholders charge beneficiaries to build successful businesses

The GYB/CEDO Ebigo foundation on Monday disbursed a total amount of 10million naira to ten successfully trained and registered enterprises in its pilot entrepreneurship development initiative.

It would be recalled that 30 individuals were selected across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state and were clustered into 10 groups of three entrepreneurs to form an enterprise with each given a nonrefundable grant of 1 million naira.

The presentation of cheques to the first sets of benefitting enterprises took place at the Office of the Kogi State Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA) where different stakeholders encouraged them to take up the challenge of building their enterprises to a reputable outcome.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director KEDA, Hajiya Rekiya Sanni noted that the grant given to the enterprise were not a free gift but a challenge thrown at them by Governor Yahaya Bello and his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja through the foundation.

She reminded them that the fund given to them was a huge responsibility as the Agency intended to make them pilot beneficiary and a model for raising and mentoring other successful entrepreneurs which was the essence of the establishment of KEDA.

The MD assured that the Agency would collaborate with other relevant stakeholders to make sure they created an enabling environment for every benefitting enterprise to thrive urging all of them to establish a value chain of need within themselves.

Speaking on behalf of the financial institution, the Business Manager United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Sunday Soile appreciated the GYB/CEDO for such initiative through the Foundation pledging that they would continue to be partners in progress in the state to support SMEs.

Earlier in his remark the Chairman Board of Trustees, GYBCEDO Ebigo Foundation, Pharm. Alexander Onoja stated that the initiative was the brain child of the state Governor and his deputy with a deliberate action plan to use their private capacities to create successful entrepreneurs in Kogi State.

He mentioned that with the action of the governor’s administration, it was obvious that the empowerment of entrepreneurs and creation of a suitable business environment was a public policy in the state.

Pharm. Onoja however reiterated to the beneficiaries that the fund was meant for them to grow their enterprise and create a multiplier effect in any area of interest they have placed themselves.

In an interview with one of the beneficiaries, Mr. James Matthew, he noted that the initiative as well as the fund disbursement were well timed interventions which would go a long to help them as youths actualize their respective goals and visions

Another beneficiary, Mr. Johnson Onoja in appreciation lauded the Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for being responsive to youth empowerment stating that with such fund many of the beneficiary have been empowered to add meaning to their lives and contribute to community development.