Tai LG in Rivers State welcomes Light up Nigeria Project to empower villagers
Story from Didi-Phina Chidi OJOGWU, Port Harcourt
The Light up Nigeria Project has flagged off it’s empowerment initiative in Tai local government area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, the national focal person of the project and managing director of Odioku Sky Limited High, Comrade Prince Amezhinm Atuma, said the group is partnering with banks to fund the growth of small and medium scale enterprises, traders, farmers, through soft loans with very low interest rates.
Comrade Atuma revealed that with the Light up Nigeria Project, agricultural hubs, mini factories, processing centres will be built in various local government areas in the country for the benefit of processing, preserving and exportation of relevant agricultural produce within and outside Nigeria.
According to him, people can stay in their homes and earn in hard currencies.
He noted that crops like plantain, cassava, yams amongst others are in high demand in America and other countries, hence Light up Nigeria has come to enable the grassroots, hardworking citizens to better their lives and save government from social vices ravaging the society.
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Comrade Atuma, who is also the chairman of Odio Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited said the initiative will also employ and empower Nigerians in the transportation sector like ‘Keke Nepap’, mini buses, POS service providers amongst others to access loans in growing their businesses.
The chairman of Tai local government area, Honourable Mbakpone Friday Okpe, while receiving the team of Light up Nigeria Project at the council headquarters thanked them for bringing the initiative to the grassroots, which according to him is a good means of providing subsidy, minor investment platforms for the people to grow their finances and that of the economy.
The council boss however charged the team and the banks to create an environment that will make the process seamless for his people to access all the provisions of the initiative, noting that the people are ready as confirmed from the massive attendance witnessed.
The Light up Nigeria team then moved to the Palace of his Royal Highness, Dr Samuel Nlebara Nne, the Gbenemene of Tai and paramount ruler of Kpite Tai.
Receiving the team on behalf of his Royal highness, Chief Elijah Ndorbu said the people of Tai are noted for been peaceful and hardworking hence his assurance of the growth of the project in the area.
He appealed with the team to position personnel across the communities and match actions with words for due registrations, while promising that king Nlebara on his availability will convey a meeting with his subjects with the optimism that Tai will surpass expectations for its growth in the area.
Responding, a representative of one of the commercial banks assured his majesty that all modalities have been put in place for smooth running of the project such as account opening, product accessibility and disbursement to qualified applicants.
