Abia Community Launches N20M Endowment Fund for Indigent Youths  

Abia Community Launches N20 Million Endowment Fund for Indigent Youths

 

The Eziukwu-Aba community in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State has established a N20 million endowment fund to support indigent youths. The initiative aims to empower young individuals by providing financial assistance for education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.

 

Focus on Education and Empowerment

 

Speaking at the 2024 Eziukwu-Day Festival, themed “Promoting Our Cultural Heritage,” Chidiebere Ogbonna, Chief Executive Officer of God Stripes, emphasized the fund’s purpose. Ogbonna, represented by lawyer Okenwa Ahuruonye, explained that the endowment would sponsor 15 law graduates, 15 medical students, 10 engineering students, and other graduates across various disciplines. Additionally, it will support artisans and small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in the community.

 

Ogbonna highlighted the long-term vision of the project, stating, “For us to have a responsive and responsible future, we must ensure we empower our youths and channel their energy positively.” He also assured the community that the number of beneficiaries would increase as the fund grows.

 

Transparent Beneficiary Selection

 

To ensure fairness, a committee will select beneficiaries based on merit. The primary goal is to prevent financial constraints from denying indigent youths the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

 

Royal and Community Support

 

The community’s traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Raymond Ezeoha, represented by the Prime Minister, Chief Jonah Ukaegbu, commended the donors for their generosity and called for sustained support. He urged the youth to channel their energies into productive ventures, maintain peace, and safeguard both public and private properties.

 

Community Challenges and Government Appeal

 

Elder Chiemela Fredrick, President General of the Eziukwu-Aba community, used the occasion to appeal to Governor Alex Otti for assistance in addressing pressing infrastructural challenges. He called for urgent repairs to the community’s roads to boost economic activities and for the restoration of power, which has been disrupted for an extended period.

 

Fredrick also criticized the excessive billing practices of Aba Power Limited and thanked the monarch for his unwavering support of community initiatives. He noted that the community has made significant progress under the monarch’s leadership.

 

Festival Highlights

 

The 2024 Eziukwu-Day Festival brought together various dignitaries, including former Commissioner for Health, Prof. Okey Ahuama, to celebrate cultural heritage and chart a path toward community development.

 

The launch of the endowment fund marks a significant step toward empowering Eziukwu-Aba’s youth, ensuring they can contribute meaningfully to the community’s growth and success.