Niger Delta MSME empowers entrepreneurs with N3m grant

The Niger Delta Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise on Wednesday gave business support grants worth N3 million to three young entrepreneurs in Bayelsa.

The fifth edition of the grant entitled ‘Enhancing the Role of MSMEs as Drivers for Sustainable Growth and Innovation’ was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. Ochuko Richard, CEO of Dear Consultant; Blessing Asokomeh, CEO of Tak Hair Academy; and Ala Vanessa, CEO of Ala Gaps, each received a startup pack of one million naira to grow their businesses. Speaking, Governor Douye Diri said that with the world population at about 7.5 billion, the earth’s resources are diminishing, and only those who act and work smartly can survive.

The governor was represented at the occasion by Nimibofa Ayawei, secretary to the Bayelsa government. He traced the historical trajectory of industrial revolutions, noting that the current dispensation was powered by knowledge, artificial intelligence, the internet, and biotechnology, among others. Mr Diri said that only those who could create order amidst chaos could survive and urged entrepreneurs to be intentional in creating such order.
“The Bayelsa government has been supporting MSMEs in recent years to foster the culture of entrepreneurship,” he said.

Moses Siasia, the chairman of the Heritage Group and founder of Niger Delta MSMEs, said wealth is not all about the acquisition of money, properties or material things, but about the number of lives one was able to touch.

He said he had empowered young, critical business owners across the Niger Delta over the years. He said support for youth entrepreneurship was achieved through a partnership with the federal government and banks.
“We have given over 650 grants to support young businesspeople across the Niger Delta, who in turn have created over 20,000 jobs for the people.

These people would have joined social vices or been involved in drug abuse. These young people hold the keys to the future, and the destiny of the region lies in their hands,” Mr Siasia said. He urged the beneficiaries to continue working constructively to bring about the change needed in the Niger Delta region, while calling for all hands to be on deck. NAN