His Royal Highness, Igwe Samuel Asadu, the Traditional Ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State has empowered 63 youths with N1m each to start their chosen businesses.
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Speaking  while presenting cheque to the beneficiaries on Wednesday, Asadu said said the gesture was to build youths as future leaders.

“As the traditional ruler of this community, I am sowing this seed of empowerment on youths because they are future leaders.

“I am very optimistic that in the next 10 years this community will have 63 millionaires and even billionaires that will bring giant developments in the community.

“This is the first phase of this empowerment as more youths in the community will benefit in no distant time by God’s special grace,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the money was invested for what it was meant for so that others in the community would also benefit from their successes.

The traditional ruler said that the empowerment was part of his transformation agenda that would empower, prepare and equip youths for the future.

“I am empowering our youths to become future millionaires and billionaires to enable them to bring rapid developments in the community.

“To maintain peace, crime and drug-free society, the interest of youths must be put into consideration by empowering them meaningfully and positively.

“I am happy the community has intelligent and well-behaved youths who are determined to be useful for themselves and the society,” Asadu said.

He commended Chief Chidozie Ogbu led Selection and Disbursement Committee for doing a thorough job of selecting the beneficiaries from every part of the community.

Speaking, Ogbu said that the committee selected the beneficiaries based on their viable business proposals presented to the committee.

Ogbu said that the committee would monitor beneficiaries to ensure that the money was well utilized and not diverted to frivolities.

“We will monitor them closely to ensure that the aim of this empowerment is achieved.”

In his remarks, Mr Emeka Ugwoke, the President General, Edem-Ani Town Union, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Grace Onyishi, lauded the traditional ruler for always having the interest of the community at heart.

“The executives of the town union is excited on these good things courtesy of Igwe Ogadagidi is happening under their watch.

“They ask beneficiaries to ensure that they use the money for what it is meant for so that other members of the community in no distant time will benefit from them”.

Earlier, Mr Kenechukwu Omeje, Youths President, Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community, commended the traditional ruler for having special interest in empowering youths.

Omeje pledge that the youths would not disappoint the traditional ruler.

“Igwe Asadu has done so much for our community and the youths are happy to have him as our traditional ruler.

“I urge the beneficiaries to be focused in their chosen businesses so as to become millionaires and billionaires in nearest future,” he said.

In an interview , some of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude and pledged not to disappoint the traditional ruler and community.

They also prayed God to replenish the pocket of Asadu as well as protect him and his family members against all evils (NAN)