Commendations for Life Progress Booster, as another 20 SMEs receive grants in Anambra

For conceiving Life Progress Booster, a scheme designed to help small and medium businesses grow by providing non-refundable grants to entrepreneurs, commendations have continued for pour for Life Continental Lager Beer, which is currently implementing the initiative across southeast Nigeria.

Speaking on the initiative during the roadshow in Onitsha last week, Southeast zonal chairman, New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Nnewi, Mr. Alvis N. Umeh, said the brand has taken social and entrepreneurial development to another level with this scheme, which has helped many businesses grow since its inception four years ago.

“Life Progress Booster has helped many upcoming and small businesses in this state and I am very happy with the results recorded so far. If other companies can take up similar initiatives targeted at small businesses, it will elevate the status of our members and bring more into the fold,” he said, as he urged the brand to keep up with the initiative.

Also speaking, a senior lecturer at the Enugu State University, Enugu, Dr. Ferdinand Ozoani, described the initiative as a complete noble step, which other brands should emulate. Dr. Ozoani noted that in the face of the present economic challenges Nigerians are going through, it is noble that a brand like Life is providing an enabling climate for small and micro businesses to grow, which is a way of investing in the economy of the country.

A total of 20 SMEs and artisans got a sum of N300,000 each to boost their businesses after successfully defending their business ideas in Ekwulobia, in Anambra State. The beneficiaries include Nkeoma Joseph, who runs a business centre in Anambra State, Juliana Okafor, a beer parlour operator in Onitsha and 18 others expressed their delight and appreciation to Life beer for the grant.

The Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Emmanuel Agu reiterating the brand’s commitment to the initiative, said, “we believe in the strength and capacity of the people of the South-East to thrive in industry, but we also believe progress can only be achieved with support. Hence, the Progress Booster initiative was specifically created for the South-Easterners.”

“Through the years, Life Continental Beer has focused on empowering its consumers, and we are committed to continue contributing to their successes and achievements.”

In his own assessment, Trade Association Chairman of Spare Parts Dealers in Anambra (Nnewi North Local Government Area), Hon. Francis O. Okeke, said he is happy and excited that the brand can still continue the grant scheme to push for more progress and business growth amidst artisans in the state.

“Since the initiative started in 2015, those who had accessed the grant had been able to improve their businesses and grow bigger. I’m aware that some of our members, who got the grants previously, are doing better with their businesses than before; we are very excited and happy with the beer company,” he said.

Consumers interested in benefiting in the initiative are enjoined to drop their business proposals in designated collation centres or visit life-nigeria.com. They will be shortlisted by a team of business plan analysts before proceeding to pitch their business ideas to a team of three experts to qualify for a boost of N300, 000.