By Amechi Innocent, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works Chief Lebechi Stanley Mbam (Engineer) has doled out millions of naira to youths to start up business in the state.
Mbam who did the empowerment scheme to mark his two years in office as commissioner, gave 25 youths cash, between N1 million and N2 million each to start up business.
The empowerment was done under his his foundation known as MSL Foundation which was established to help the youths, poor and less privileged in the society.
The beneficiaries received between N1 million and N 2 million each to either support their existing businesses or start up their own businesses to be self reliance.
Mbam in his remarks, said that the gesture was to show love to his people and encourage the youths to be self reliance especially in this economic hardship.
He said that the gesture was also burnout of the mantra of governor Francis Nwifuru, People Chatters of Need, where many people have been empowered through educational scholarship and skill acquisitions.
Mbam said the he was following the footstep of governor Nwifuru to put smiles in the faces of his people, saying that the foundation has offered scholarship to many indigent youths, paid hospital bills of indigents and other skills training.
The commissioner who used the occasion to mark his two years in office, said that the governor has done well in infrastructure as many projects have been completed with in two years in office.
He said that the mega project which is the Vanco flyover and tunnel will be completed and commissioned in May next year, saying that the project is largest project done in South East.
Mbam thanked governor Nwifuru for the confidence reposed on him that gave him the courage and power to do more and deliver several projects across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The commissioner further said that many road projects have been completed both in urban and rural areas of the state while new projects were being executed on a daily basis.
He appealed to the residents of Abakaliki to exercise patience on the inconveniences caused by the closure of road at Vanco junction and urged them to make use of alternative routes for now, saying the very soon the road will be opened for human and vehicular movements.
The event attracted the Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa, Senator Ngiji Ngele, Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese Anglican Communion Rt. Most. Rev. Monday Nkwoegu, Superintendent of Assemblies of God church Rev. Emmanuel Nshii, APC party faithfuls, youths Assocation among others.
In their separate remarks, they poured economium on Mbam whom they said has brought many youths out of poverty through his empowerment and scholarship programmes.
They however charged other wealthy persons and politicians to emulate the kind gesture to give back to the society that made them what they are as there is love in sharing the glory of God.
Some of the beneficiaries; Chimaobi Onele, Onyidikachi Ogbonna, Dan Nwojiji, Mabel Nwuzor, Nwachi Egwu, Cyril Nwalrgu, Happiness Nwiboko among others thanked Chief Mbam for lifting them.
They promised to be good ambassadors of Izzi Nnodo and Ebonyi State and to put the money in good businesses to generate more money to empower others in future.
