From Kenneth Udeh, Umuahia
Hundreds of nano businesses across Abia North Senatorial District are set to benefit from the Federal Government’s Conditional Grant Scheme, facilitated by the Senator representing the district, Orji Uzor Kalu, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The empowerment programme, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s initiative to support nano businesses and strengthen grassroots economic development, was flagged off in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State and is expected to extend across the five local government areas in the senatorial district on Thursday.
Senator Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, facilitated the programme as part of his efforts to expand access to federal government economic empowerment initiatives for constituents across Abia North.
The initiative also falls in line with Kalu’s broader human empowerment and capacity development agenda, which forms part of his representation priorities as a senator.
As part of his constituency-focused interventions, Kalu has so far sponsored over 50 students for further academic studies and capacity-building training, in addition to his interventions in infrastructure, education and agriculture.
These initiatives complement his efforts to support human capital development, improve economic opportunities and promote the welfare of constituents across Abia North.
The Conditional Grant Scheme provides financial support to small-scale operators, including petty traders, food vendors, shoe repairers, provision sellers and other individuals operating at the grassroots level of the economy.
Speaking with The Sun shortly after the programme at Senator Kalu’s Camp Neya residence in Igbere, a senior SMEDAN official, Charles Ofobruche, explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen nano businesses through direct financial assistance.
According to him, beneficiaries receive a grant each to support their businesses, improve their operations and increase their capacity for growth.
He said the scheme, one of SMEDAN’s flagship programmes, has been running since 2017 and targets the smallest category of businesses within the entrepreneurial pyramid.
“What we do basically is that we identify these nano businesses. They are the smaller sector or smaller businesses in the scheme or in the pyramid,” he explained.
Ofobruche noted that many beneficiaries operate businesses with relatively low turnover but contribute to livelihoods and grassroots economic activity.
He added that SMEDAN encourages beneficiaries to formalise their businesses by registering with the agency and taking advantage of available opportunities for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration.
Explaining the relationship between Senator Kalu and the empowerment initiative, Ofobruche described the former governor as a stakeholder who advocated for the inclusion of his constituents in the programme.
“The distinguished Senator is a stakeholder and, being the former governor of the state, he has said, ‘My people need this empowerment.’ That is why we are also here to see how the senatorial district can be covered, and, of course, Abia State at large,” he said.
The programme is intended to reach beneficiaries across Abia North’s five local government areas, providing support to entrepreneurs irrespective of their political affiliations.
The initiative further complements Kalu’s human empowerment agenda, which includes educational support and capacity development for constituents. The senator has sponsored over 50 students for further academic studies and capacity training, alongside interventions in infrastructure, education and agriculture.
Through the facilitation of the Conditional Grant Scheme, the senator is supporting grassroots entrepreneurs and enabling small-scale business owners to access financial assistance aimed at strengthening their livelihoods and business activities.
Odii Urges Beneficiaries to Think Big
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, encouraged them to approach the grant as an opportunity to develop their businesses and work towards long-term growth.
Odii urged the beneficiaries to communicate their challenges and make use of the support available through government agencies.
He emphasised the importance of the SMEDAN philosophy, “Think big, start small, and prosper,” while encouraging beneficiaries to remain focused on building sustainable businesses.
The SMEDAN chief executive also underscored the importance of government representatives and agencies listening to the concerns of citizens and working towards addressing their needs.
Kalu: Grant Belongs to Beneficiaries
Speaking during the event, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stressed that the financial support was intended for the beneficiaries and not for his personal benefit.
He said he could have sought to control the distribution of the funds but chose instead to ensure that the government initiative reached the intended recipients.
In his remarks, delivered partly in Igbo and English, Kalu urged beneficiaries to recognise the value of the empowerment initiative and use the funds for the purposes for which they were provided.
The senator also spoke about the federal government’s economic policies, attributing some of the economic pressures facing citizens to broader global challenges, including international conflicts and their effects on fuel prices, foreign exchange and trade.
He expressed support for President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda and called on the people to remain engaged in the political process.
Beneficiaries Express Appreciation
Beneficiaries drawn from different political affiliations who attended the programme expressed appreciation to Senator Kalu for facilitating the empowerment initiative in Abia North.
They said the ₦50,000 cash grant would help them strengthen their businesses, increase production, improve profitability and expand their daily operations.
The beneficiaries described the intervention as a welcome form of grassroots economic support, particularly for individuals operating businesses with limited capital.
The programme forms part of the broader range of interventions associated with Kalu’s representation of Abia North, covering economic empowerment, education, human capital development, infrastructure and agriculture.
