Enugu state Commissioner for Budget and Planning Dr. David Ugwunta has given a grant of fifty thousand naira (#50,000) to small business owners in his Local Government Area, Ezeagu.
The 10 beneficiaries of the grant which was given through Okeluemaka Foundation- A foundation being set up in memory of his late father, Chief David Okeluemaka Sunday Ugwunta were drawn from across various communities in Ezeagu LGA.
Dr. Ugwunta said this is just a little way of given back to his local government as they say, charity begins at home. And he’s a commissioner today, because he’s from Ezeagu as the slot was meant for an Ezeagu man.
In his words to the beneficiaries, the Finance guru said; “I’m not giving you this grant today because I have much. We don’t have any allocation and whatever we’re giving you today no matter how little is from my personal salary and savings.
“We are doing this in honour of my late father who died on the same day I was nominated as a commissioner. I lost my father and on the same day, God Almighty gave me another father in the person of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State who believed in me and trusted me enough to serve in his cabinet.
“I am doing whatever I am doing today, borrowing a leaf from the life of Governor Ugwuanyi who places humanity first in whatever he does.”
Dr. Ugwunta also charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money and congratulated them for scaling through the verification process to be eligible for the grant.
Also speaking to the beneficiaries, a former Councillor that represented Aguobu Umumba/ Umumba Ndiagu ward, Hon. Chukwudi Ozoelouba, enjoined them to make judicious use of the money as it could change their lives.
Using himself as an example, the former ex officio member of Peoples Democratic Party, Enugu West Zone said when he started business, he never had the whole world but today, he can boast of millions from his business. He promised to sponsor few persons in the next edition of the presentation of the grant.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Barr. Ugwuozor Charles from Akama Oghe who’s into Snail farming and Nwabuisi Ifunanya from Imezi Owa and sells electrical materials thanked the Hon. Commissioner for the wonderful opportunity he has given to them which they said is a source of inspiration, support and evidence of his outstanding personality.
They also thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for the opportunity given to Dr. Ugwunta to serve in his cabinet and pleaded with him to consider him (Dr. Ugwunta) for a higher task as he has shown enormous capacity in his present office.
They prayed to God to bless the Foundation through which the commissioner used to bless thier lives.
Some of the beneficiaries include; Madumere Christian from Imezi Owa who’s a motor mechanic; Ezechi Chinenyenwa from Iwollo Oghe that sells food stuff; Nkwo Destiny from Aguobu Owa and a tailor.
Others are; Kenechukwu Ikechukwu, a barber from Umumba Ndiuno and Nwokike Cynthia Ijeoma from Awha Imezi, a student of UNN and does paint production.
