By CHARLES IWUOHA

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has empowered over 250 indigenes of his community with start-up capital for entrepreneurial activities.

The empowerment was part of events marking the Uburu Day celebration held on Wednesday in the Governor’s home.

Beneficiaries got cash grants ranging from N500, 000 to N5 million each.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Governor charged them to put the money's into meaningful use or risk paying it back to government as loan.

He emphasized that those who utilized theirs well would be given more by March when he would be embarking on verification tour of their enterprises.

“We have 200 persons taken from the 14 villages in our communities to be given Five hundred Thousand naira each.

“There are 18 persons already empowered with N2million, and 18 others with N5million.

“I am not talking of others we have empowered over the years, and the countless number we have empowered with job and contracts.

“I will be embarking on inspection tour of what you do with the money by March.

“If you do not utilize yours well, we will convert it to loan for you to pay back, but if we are satisfied with your venture, we will give you more,” Umahi said.

The Governor prayed for beneficiaries, saying: “from my heart I have given to you. God will prosper the works that you do with it.”

In a welcome address, the traditional ruler of Uburu autonomous community, Eze Laz Umahi, said the Governor apart from overwhelming physical infrastructures, also shows greater concern to the physical, social, economic and psychological wellbeing of the people.

He appreciated all the guests for honouring their invitation, and strengthened the people's unanimous endorsement of the Governor for Ebonyi South Senatorial seat.

“David Umahi is the saviour of Uburu land; the saviour of Ebonyi State and will be the saviour of Nigeria,” the royal father said.

He expressed optimism that Umahi will not only become senator for Ebonyi South, but the Senate president after the 2023 general elections.

Earlier, the Governor commissioned a market stall he reconstructed at the popular EkeAja market which was destroyed by windstorm months back.

He also commissioned an ancestral town hall he built for his people and laid the foundation stone for a market to be called Uburu Adu modern market.

Commissioning the EkeAja market stall, Governor Umahi said: "There shall be an executive order ceding the market to the local government.

“The local government should legislate to establish a board for it with the chairman as the traditional ruler of Uburu auronomous community, and the Secretary as next in seniority.

The Governor at the event distributed food items, clothings, and cash worth several millions of naira to his community members as Christmas and New Year gifts.

Governor Umahi before the New Year party, received the people of Onicha Local Government Area led by the chairman, Hon. Chidiebere Uzor on a Christmas and New Year homage.