From Goldberg’s Isedowo, empowerment comes for Ondo youths

In line with it’s Isedowo initiative that aims at helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses, Goldberg has rewarded 28 entrepreneurs and small-scale business owners operating in Ondo State with a total sum of ₦8.4million through its empowerment initiative.
 
The 28 beneficiaries received a business grant of ₦300,000 each after being selected from a large pool of over 700 business entries received in the state.

The winners comprise men and women operating in the catchment area, who are skilled in all forms of handiwork, including poultry farming, tie and dye, hand weaving, diesel injector repair, fashion designing and painting. Participants went through auditions and screening exercises to be selected for the reward, which happened at a grand ceremony at Fadeolu Guest House in Ondo town.

Speaking at the event, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc Emmanuel Agu, explained that the brand is riding on the platform of Isedowo to demonstrate its passion towards improving the entrepreneurial drive of youths in the Southwest.

The initiative, he noted, allows the target groups to nurture business ideas that would transform into job opportunities, and in turn better the lot of the region.
 
“These grants would encourage more businesses to spring up in the region. As we fortify more start-ups with the financial wherewithal to gain solid ground of operations, the beneficiaries would improve the living standards of the Southwest people by creating more jobs and adding value to their communities,” he explained.
 
Balogun Wuraola, one of the beneficiaries said as a new business owner, her grant would be invested to expand her business.

“With my ₦300,000, I plan to buy an enlargement and thread rolling machines, which are important tools in my business. I also need a bigger space to exhibit my products, which my grant would enable me to achieve,” she said.
 
On his part, Akindeni Kolawole, a diesel injector repairer, described Goldberg as a “supportive brand” for coming to the aid of small business owners in the region. “If as little as 30 percent of all brands in Nigeria can emulate Goldberg by supporting indigenous business owners in different regions, more youths would be encouraged to run their own businesses,” Kolawole said.
 
Before the Ondo event, 32 artisans had been rewarded in Osun and Ekiti states, where the beneficiaries affirmed that the initiative is laudable and has provided them huge relief from financial challenges faced in expanding their businesses.
 
Isedowo is an initiative of Goldberg, which was launched last August by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, with the aim of empowering businesses and start-ups with cash reward to boost their business ventures.
 
So far, 60 artisans have been rewarded in three Southwest states and Goldberg plans to support 40 more entrepreneurs with each winner receiving ₦300,000 through the empowerment scheme, which will visit Ogun and Oyo soon.