ABIA, January 17, 2024 – The Herbert Onye Orji Foundation (HOOF), a non-profit organization that supports young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs who come from unprivileged backgrounds in Nigeria, held a tribute to honor the fifth-year memorial of Prof. Herbert Onye Orji. The memorial was a two-day event with the second day designated for the seminar and workshop. The workshop was in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Aba area office in Abia, where grants (working capital) were awarded to the most credible candidates seeking financial support for their micro and small business. Financial aid for university students was also awarded to assist with paying for tuition, specifically students in their final year.
“We are very proud to announce these new grant awardees and their important small business ventures,” said Mr. Ojukwu Eze, vice president of programs and services at the Herbert Onye Orji Foundation. “This is what HOOF is all about, giving back to the community to help micro and small businesses stay alive. This in turn will create employment opportunities and contribute towards developing our country’s remote regions — significantly contributing to our country’s socioeconomic growth.”
The foundation also collaborated with the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Abia State Chapter, which offered a seminar called Capacity Building Workshop Series for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Business Owners. Mr. Sam Smoots was the guest speaker at the event. He is an Executive Director for the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Institute. Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, former Minister of Finance of Nigeria, was appointed the Chairman of the Day.
The seminar, which took place at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, addressed topics such as application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in business, marketing strategies, customer retention strategies, basic bookkeeping, accessing funds for small business, effective time management in business, and identification of business opportunities.
“We are excited these grants will fund a range of different micro and small business types,” said Dr. (Mrs.) Nnenna Orji, chief executive officer at the Herbert Onye Orji Foundation. “Along with the grants, we will be disbursing funds to assist university students in their final year with paying their tuition. So, this is a wonderful opportunity for them.”
During this grant period, there are 10 micro business owner recipients and 6 small business owner recipients of the Empowerment Award. The Empowerment Award was created to support business owners in these two categories that demonstrate dedication, leadership, and zest. Financial aid for tuition assistance was awarded to 10 university students in their final year.
Micro Business Empowerment Award
John Ifeanyi Ogba, Amazing Grace Auto Clinic
Nduka Ogechi Oyediya, Creamie Affairs Ventures
Okorie Awa Alfred, Alfredo Designs
Ahuruonye Ihechi, ImoBig Designs
Ogba Joshua Okoronkwo, Madonna Press
Florence Uzoma Joseph, Megolf Ventures
Emenike Mba, Jome Global Nig. Limited
Chinasa Chinenye Queensely, Nasa and Ibuchi Company Nig. Ltd.
Emenike Ogali, E. O. Enterprise
Onukwube Ikoro, Innoma Farms
Small Business Empowerment Award
Ojukwu Ogwo, 03 Synthesis Enterprise
Ifeanyi Ogala, Ifojack Global Resources Limited
Uchechukwu Okoroafor, UC Block Industry
Kingsley Chima, Jesse and Jethro Investment Limited
Best Quality Shoes Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited
Joseph Orji Uche, Iroko Iron Construction
Financial Aid Student Award
Eze Michael Eze, Medicine & Surgery (Abia State University, Uturu)
Gift O. Udeala, Chemistry (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture)
Onwuchekwa Sebastine Orji, Nursing (Abia State University, Uturu)
Oleka Perpetual Chiameka, Agricultural & Economics (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture)
Onwuchekwa Ebube Divine, Computer Science (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture)
Ndukwe Uduka Christopher, Agricultural & Economics (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture)
Chukwuemeka P. Chisom, Computer Science (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture)
Ogor Godswill Nnamdi, Computer Science (Abia State University, Uturu)
Ochu Kelechi Emmanuel, Human Physiology (Abia State University, Uturu)
Ogali Ogechi Daniella, Estate Management (Abia State University, Uturu)
The Empowerment Grant for Micro and Small Enterprises gives determined, ambitious, and skilled individuals or entrepreneurs a chance to explore business ideas at a time when they might not find funding elsewhere. The program will continue to support unprivileged young professionals and potential entrepreneurs facing socioeconomic hardships with the goal of building better communities.
