In a move to fulfil its mission of boosting Nigerian economy by growing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the aim of engaging self-employed young people, the Stanley Uzochukwu Foundation (SUF) has empowered 80 businesses with N40million grants.
Recall that the Stanley Uzochukwu Foundation had recently took humanitarianism to a new height in Nigeria as it committed to rebuilding classrooms, revamping educational facilities, nutritional needs and training of orphans at JOFIN Orphanage Home im Jos, Plataeu State.
The grants presentation ceremony, which was held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Lagos at The Delborough Lagos Hotel, had in attendance the Sierra Leonean President, Ernest Bai Koroma; Providus Bank Executive Director, Adeoye Ojuroye; Blake Resort Managing Director/Chairman, Chief Uzochukwu Akunedozi; Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Emmanuel Azuka Okofu; Director-General of Rochas Okorocha Foundation, Miss Uchechi Rochas, and other dignitaries.
In her opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Stanley Uzochukwu Foundation, Dr. Jovita Ibie, welcomed the lucky beneficiaries to the ceremony and charged them to open their minds to receive what, according to her, was worth more than the grant, referring to the rich success story of the chairman and founder of the Foundation, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, to be shared with them.
During the mentorship session, the Guest Speaker, Arc. Apeh Iwodi, admonished the beneficiaries to be prudent in utilising the grants in order to take their businesses to the next level.
For his part, Dr Stanley, who shared factors and keys to success with the beneficiaries, congratulated the lucky winners of the grants and charged them to utilise the opportunity to transform their lives. He stated that the Foundation was not only empowering them but it was also ready to mentor, network and guide them towards achieving entrepreneurial success. He disclosed that the Foundation would monitor the growth of their businesses and do all it takes to increase the grants in the next phase and would also connect them to business opportunities.
On personal ground, he gave a few of the beneficiaries cash awards of N500,000 each for outstanding products while he ordered immediate showcasing and patronage of products and services of the beneficiaries in Stanel World Mart and locations across the country.
Complementing his efforts, the Blake Resort CEO Akunedozi also announced N2million support to the beneficiaries of the Stanley Uzochukwu Foundation empowerment grants.
On his part, the Providus Bank Executive Director, Ojuroye, commended the Foundation’s efforts and also offered to feature the beneficiaries in the Bank’s SMEs programs as well as using the products and services of the beneficiaries in the Bank’s locations.
Commending the efforts of the Foundation and its Chairman, Sierra Leonean President Koroma said, “I’m overwhelmed with what I have experienced, heard, seen here today and it gives me hope in Africans successful young men like Dr Stanley.
“The moment I experienced today is the moment that’s required in all African Nations. The testimonies I witnessed today are the type of leadership that Africa needs. And it pleases me that it’s coming from African youths,” he said.
Filled with the atmosphere of greatness and transformation for the opportunity to be with a sitting president of a nation and other successful business leaders, the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Stanley Uzochukwu Foundation as many beneficiaries pledged to support the Foundation’s orphanage projects with their products and services.
