Respected Entrepreneur and Logistics mogul, Engr Ifeanyi Onwuachu, African Democratic Congress ADC Presidential hopeful, Mr Peter Obi, the serving member representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa have empowered no less than 30 youths in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, with cash to uplift them.
The empowerment, attracted by Faithspiration Initiative, a non-governmental organization own by Fr George Adimike, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, took place at the Holy Trinity Church field Onitsha, on Saturday.
According to Adimike, the Initiative was established to address the challenges of youth restiveness in Anambra State and Nigeria at large, noting that the initiative has consistently supported vulnerable families to ease the effects of economic hardship and has also provided seed capital to many small and medium scale entrepreneurs across the State.
He said, the initiative is not only to provide an avenue for financial independence but also a sense of hope and purpose in a most challenging moment like this where hardship is on the increase in Nigeria.
He explained that the initiative also caters for people whose businesses were not doing well in addition to those whose small businesses needed upgrades.
He said the vision and mission of Faithspiration Initiative is to ensure a better Anambra and the country as a whole.
He noted that the beneficiaries were thoroughly selected application, screening and interview session, and that it cut across Churches.
Fr Adimike stressed that the initiative will go a long way in providing financial independence to youths, reiterating the commitment of the organization to partner with Government, Civil Society Organizations, well-to-do individuals and the media to address the looming rate of poverty in Nigeria.
He advised the beneficiary youths to make judicious used of the funds, to do away with crime and venture into business that will make them self reliant and to better the society as well.
He also commended the security personnel, especially, the state owned security outfit (Udo-Ga-Achi and Agunechemba) for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere before, during and other the programme.
In their separate remarks, Onwuachu,Mr Peter Obi, Okonkwo and Ezeokenwa , appreciated Fr Adimike for his very inspiring commitment to the development of the youth.
They promised to continue to partner with the Initiative in the area of youth development.
Available records show that each of the 30 beneficiaries received the sum of N500,000 naira only to support their businesses.
The beneficiaries, in their unanimous appreciation, vow to make judicious used of the funds to better their lives, family members and those around them.
They pray God to continue to bless the Founder, Fr Adimike for attracting the kind gesture.
The event was highly attended by the Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, Hon Ebuka Igwe, Hon Patrick Aghamba, thousands of youths, students, Rev Fathers and Sisters, also featured Church mass, youth inspirational panel discussion and entertainment.
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