High Chief Kestin Pondi presenting cheque to one of Entrepreneurs on Monday
By Samuel Ogude
It was jubilation in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area Delta State as the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Pondi empowered 80 youth entrepreneurs with 800 million grant to boast their business in Nigeria. The youths who were drawn from across different states in the country were given this grants for them to boost their small and medium scale businesses at a programme which took place on Monday at the premises of MBB Consortium along Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State.
In a remarkable show of support for business development, three prominent leaders further strengthened the initiative through additional contributions. They are: High Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi, General Manager (Operations) of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited who donated ₦100 million with ₦10 million each to 10 entrepreneurs, Engr. Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, Delta State Commissioner for Power and Energy supported with ₦100 million, which took care of 10 additional businesses while Chief Festus M. Ochonogor, Managing Director/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) supported with ₦100 million to empower 10 more entrepreneurs.
Cutting the birthday cake at the ceremony on Monday
With these contributions, the beneficiaries of the programme have expanded from 50 to 80 which brings the total value of grants awarded during the ceremony to ₦800 million which have made it one of the largest privately funded business empowerment initiatives in the region. In a brief speech, High Chief Kestin Ebimobowei Pondi said the business grant initiative is part of activities marking his birthday and reflects his commitment to supporting small and growing businesses within the region.
According to Pondi, those who are involved in business do so to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. He however said, because it is not easy to grow business due to rising cost of operation, those who can stand the time of time in business enterprise should be appreciated. He said:” … Nigerians who continue to build business, contribute to the growth of our economy. Across our country, many people wake up with many ideas and determine to build something useful. We must appreciate that today’s business climate is not easy, rising operational cost, fluctuation and increasing competitive environment..”
He said, being an entrepreneur is not an easy task as while the employees sleep with eyes closed, the employers work round the clock to see to how to pay workers and sustain the business adding if the entrepreneur fails to work hard, the business may fail. His words:” It is easier for you to just graduate and look for employment but the employer does not sleep, the employees sleep… If you don’t work hard, the company folds up because you don’t have money to run it.”
According to him, in the first edition of the programme, they initially planned for 20 persons to get five million Naira each but exigency necessitated them to raise the number to forty persons as they wanted more persons to benefit. He said, from available records, those persons empowered last year have expanded their businesses which, according to him, is encouraging as they have further helped to employ others.
Faces of those present at the ceremony on Monday
His words:” The result has been encouraging with several beneficiaries expanding their operations, increasing productivity, creating employment opportunities. The simple truth is that, when you invest in entrepreneurs, you invest in future.” High Chief Pondi said, this year, the organization received from different entrepreneurs from different sectors which took the committee a great deal of time to select the beneficiaries adding, the process of selection was fair and credible as only 50 entrepreneurs were initially selected as primary beneficiaries, each receiving ₦10 million, bringing the initial disbursement to ₦500 million before the assistance of other donors.
He therefore advised those who couldn’t benefit for this round to keep working hard as they could benefit next year.He therefore congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the grant judiciously. In their response, beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation for the support and pledged to use the funds responsibly to expand their businesses, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic development of their communities.
Some of the beneficiaries of the grants at ceremony on Monday
There were testimonies of many beneficiaries of grant last year just as those who received for the day thanked High Chief Kestin and other donors for the empowerment. The Kestin Pondi Business Grant continues to stand as a powerful example of visionary leadership, generosity, and commitment to sustainable economic empowerment.
Some of the beneficiaries of the grants at ceremony on Monday
A special highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a birthday cake to High Chief Pondi by members of the Business Grant Committee, in appreciation of his continued commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting grassroots economic development. Thereafter, the beneficiaries were presented with their cheque empowerment amidst cheers.
The event which many described as unique was attended by several distinguished guests, including Hon. Anthony O. Ofoni, Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Area; Hon. Kelly Penawou, Delta State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs; Hon Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, Commissioner for Power and Energy, Hon Orode Uduaghan, Hon Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs; and senior officials from DESOPADEC and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, alongside business stakeholders and community leaders.