By Ayo Ogunleye
Sterlite club of Itapa-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State in its drive to improve the lots of the community dwellers, has empowered some petty traders with thousands of naira to assist the beneficiaries in their trades/businesses.
The revolving loans were provided to boost the economy of the small scale entrepreneurs in line with the Federal Government’s traders’ monies policy to improving the living conditions of the recipient numbering twenty for a start, while hoping to increase the numbers and the gesture if the beneficiaries make judicious use of the loan facility.
The monarch of the town, His Royal Majesty, Oba David Makanjuola Ajaja, the Ilufemiloye of Itapa Ekiti – Kingdom, who chaired the occasion urged the beneficiaries to see the opportunity as apt at this period of economic downturn and engage in profitable product that will enhance their sales and that they should learn how to cultivate a saving culture instead of reckless spending,
The twenty lucky beneficiaries were chosen after thorough scrutiny and seriousness in their struggle to make a fruitful end in their enterprises. They were therefore enjoined to prove that their choice was not a mistake by the club hence they must be good ambassadors in order to encourage further support to another set of traders in the community. That was the advice of the Chairman Planning Committee.
In his goodwill speech, the President of the club, Star Sunday Obisanya, encouraged the recipients of the gesture to think above their present levels and strive harder to enjoy more dividends accruing from the facility so that other citizens can benefit in subsequent palliatives, and reminded them that hard work of the club members brought about the initiative they are now getting with low or none interest.
He also enjoined well to do individuals or corporate bodies to support the less privileged peasants in the community following the noble example of the club members..
Coincidentally, the fortunes of the empowerment programme received a boost for financial opportunity when the Chairman of Omiye Micro-Finance Bank, Otunba Stephen Ojo promised soft loan facility to the recipient as soon as they form a cooperative society in partnership with the finance institution.
He advised the group to liaise with the Managing Director, Gbanga Adegun who will put them through the necessary modalities to access the loan facility while the club can also leverage on the opportunity to register for investment purposes.
The lucky beneficiaries could not hide their joy as they expressed appreciation towards the kind gesture from the club, two persons with physical challenges were among them.
Club members who are not in attendance at the presentation hocked into the programme via the online zooming option to witness the processes.
