Igwe Samuel Asadu, the ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu in Nsukka LGA of Enugu, has announced the empowerment of 63 youths with N1 million each to start a business.

While presenting the cheque to the beneficiaries on Wednesday, Mr Asadu said the gesture was to build youths as future leaders.

Mr Asadu said, “As the traditional ruler of this community, I am sowing this seed of empowerment on youths because they are future leaders. I am very optimistic that in the next 10 years, this community will have 63 millionaires and even billionaires who will bring giant developments to the community.

“This is the first phase of this empowerment as more youths in the community will benefit in no distant time by God’s special grace,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the money was invested for what it was meant for so that others in the community would also benefit from their successes.”

The ruler said empowerment was part of his transformation agenda to empower, prepare, and equip youths for the future.

“I am empowering our youths to become future millionaires and billionaires to enable them to bring rapid developments in the community. To maintain peace, crime and drug-free society, the interest of youths must be put into consideration by empowering them meaningfully and positively.

“I am happy the community has intelligent and well-behaved youths who are determined to be useful for themselves and the society,” Mr Asadu explained.

He commended the Chidozie Ogbu-led selection and disbursement committee for thoroughly selecting the beneficiaries from every part of the community.

Mr Ogbu said the committee selected the beneficiaries based on their viable business proposals presented to the committee. He noted that the committee would monitor beneficiaries to ensure the money was well utilized and not diverted to frivolities.

“We will monitor them closely to ensure that the aim of this empowerment is achieved,” Mr Ogbu stated.

Emeka Ugwoke, the president general of Edem-Ani Town Union, praised the ruler for always having the community’s interest at heart.

Kenechukwu Omeje, youth president of the community, commended Mr Asadu for having a special interest in empowering youths.

(NAN)