CHIEF NDUESE ESSIEN EMPOWERS 25 WOMEN WITH BUSINESS GRANTS

By Assam Abia

Former Minister of the Federal Republican of Nigeria, Chief Nduese Essien, yesterday Wednesday October 6, 2021, empowered 25 women with business grants of Two Hundred Thousand Naria (#200,000) each.

In a brief ceremony conducted at Trinity Hall along Afaha Atai Road in Eket, Chief Essien, a two term House of Representatives member said the money was given to the beneficiaries for expansion and consolidation of their businesses and as a way of discouraging women from full time political scavenging.

"There is nothing wrong in women involvement in politics but something is absolutely wrong if some women take to political scavenging as a means of livelihood. I want to discourage such attitude", Chief Essien said.

He said that the financial assistance was not a political money as may be misconstrued by many but his own way of assisting government stimulate entrepreneurship and grow the economy for individual sustainability.

"I'm not seeking for any political elective position. I made it known in 2014 at Eket Stadium during my presentation of Udom Emmanuel to the people of Eket, that I will never seek for any elective position again, so, do not think that this is political patronage, you should make good use of the grant by ensuring that it grows your business", he advised.

Speaking further, he said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected across the 14 Wards of Eket Local Government Area through a diligent process that ensured that only those currently doing petty businesses and needed expansion were enlisted.

The process, he said, did not consider political office holders, those who have just been empowered by government, those who are well established and those who have benefited recently from one form of empowerment program or another.

An independent Committee will be put in place to monitor the business growth of beneficiaries.

"After two months, the inspection team will assess how far you have gone with your business and if you are growing, in six months time, we will add more money for you to consolidate on your achievements", Chief Essien assured, while praying that they should succeed in their various line of businesses

"This grant is not for your children's school fees or for cosmetics and other frivolous things but for investment in your petty businesses. Some people started with smaller amount but today they are millionaires, you have to prove that our women can also be millionaires through entrepreneurship", he said.

Pastor Ita Umoh Udo, Chief Udo Isong, Chief Jack Udota, Obongawan Comfort Enodien and Group Capt. Eno (Rtd) all admonished the beneficiaries on how best to succeed with the financial grant while commending Chief Nduese Essien for such an innovative gesture.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, lady Christiana Tom thanked their benefactor for his magnanimity and assured him that they will "grow the seed that has been given them into a big tree"