Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State on Thursday, disbursed financial grants to 2, 000 micro, small and medium enterprises in the state to grow their businesses and cushion the effects of the current economic realities in the country.
Speaking during the disbursement ceremony held at the Events Centre, Asaba and organised by the Delta State Job and Wealth Creation Bureau, Gov. Oborevwori said the gesture is designed to empower the entrepreneurs to cushion the effects of the economic hardship in the country.
He said: “The more business upscale programme, otherwise known as more biz-up is one of the job creation programmes initiated in line with the more agenda of my administration.
“As the name implies, more biz-up is aimed at providing stimulus in the form of financial grants to micro, small and medium enterprises in the state in order to grow their businesses and to cushion the effects of the harsh economic realities in our nation.
“Like other job creation programmes of the state government, the programme is strategically planned and designed as a testament of my administration’s commitment to empower small businesses, fast-track economic growth and to foster development in the state.”
He charged the beneficiaries to take the knowledge garnered from the business school component of the programme to advance their businesses and leverage on networking amongst participants.
Gov. Oborevwori added that “your success as entrepreneurs is crucial to the economic development of our state, which will further inspire other young entrepreneurs to follow in your footsteps.
“Therefore, I urge you to work hard to sustain your businesses. We shall continue to support your entrepreneurship journey. Out of a pool of over 10, 000 applicants, you are blessed to be among the chosen.
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“The 2,000 beneficiaries of the programme gathered here today are in two groups- 1,000 business owners drawn from a database of fresh applicants who have never benefitted from state government’s job creation and entrepreneurship programmes, and 1,000 past beneficiaries who were verified by the directorate of youth monitoring and mentoring.
“I expect you to make judicious use of the grant by applying it wisely and responsibly to your business. It is my earnest prayer that your businesses grow from strength to strength.”
The state Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said the strategy of the business upscale programme focuses on stimulating economic growth by equipping entrepreneurs with advanced business knowledge and injecting financial stimulus in the form of grants into small businesses.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Meshack Okeoghene, thanked Gov. Oborevwori for empowering the MSMEs, adding that the state government’s gesture will serve as a catalyst that will stimulate the growth of their respective businesses.
