Anambra businessman empowers 20 youths in his community with N20m

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Chief Kodilinye Okelekwe ( 3rd right) with the cheques

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By Madu Obi

Anambra State - born Abuja - based businessman, Chief Kodilinye Okelekwe has empowered 20 youths in his Nibo Community, Awka South local government area of Anambra State, with N1million each to enable them expand their businesses.

Okelekwe, who said he did not know any of the beneficiaries before the empowerment exercise, used a committee he set up to screen qualified persons after submitting their business proposals.

Even the eventual beneficiaries did not know their benefactor until the chairman of the screening committee, Chief Douglas Aniemena introduced Okelekwe to them.

Presenting the cheques to the youths, Okelekwe urged them to be courageous, disciplined, and determined to become billionaires from the humble support they received.

He recounted his difficult childhood experience, recalling how his poor mother struggled to raise funds for his transport to the University of Jos where he gained admission in 1986.

He also narrated how he started his business journey with just N100, which he used to print a complimentary card that later opened doors to contracts and opportunities that transformed his life.

“I came from a family of the poorest of the poor, but from the outset, I made up my mind that I would banish poverty from my family.

Success or failure begins in the heart. Nothing is impossible in life if we have the right frame of mind. The God who made me a billionaire with a N100 complimentary card can make all of you billionaires with this N1 million seed money", he stated.

He commended the chairman and members of the selection committee for a transparent and thorough screening process, urging the beneficiaries to replicate his act of kindness by empowering others when they become successful.

In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Nibo, Eze M.C Ngene, thanked Chief Okelekwe for his philanthropy and consistent contributions to community development and human capital empowerment.

He described the gesture as “a new season of Nibo billionaires,” encouraging the beneficiaries to emulate Okelekwe’s resilience by making judicious use of the funds.