Our attention has been drawn to a publication on social media alleging that front line Anambra state APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo, empowered youth with smoked fish at the recently held Ora Nwezue Aku 2021 organized by Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce Anambra State Chapter.
This allegation is both distasteful and regretful. It is also a shame that certain individuals would deliberately embark on peddling complete falsehood in a desperate attempt to discredit what became one of the most powerful entrepreneurship workshops held by the chamber.
We will, however, like to make the following things clear:
1. Ora Nwezue Aku is annual entrepreneurship workshop, organized by Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce Anambra State Chapter and funded by the State Director, Arinze Omenwa.
2. This year, the Chamber made calls for sponsorship and Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo came on board and took the sponsorship offer.
3. The following reputable institutions were invited to discuss their funding and other empowerment opportunities:
a. Anambra state small business agency (ASBA).
b.Central Bank of Nigeria
c. Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture
d. Anambra State Ministry Of Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy.
e. Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce
f. Bank of Industry
g. Federal Ministry of Youth
h. Nirsal Microfinance Bank
i. Tony Elumelu Foundation.
j. Johnbosco Onunkwo Foundation.
k. Small and medium business development agency of Nigeria, (SMEDAN)
4. The following subjects were discussed:
a. Access to Business Grant
b. Access to soft loans
c. Access to viable network
d. Access to mentorship
e. Access to organized Business Development Service Providers
5. There was an interactive session between the participants and Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo foundation as well as other reputable institutions invited to the event. A young man who identified himself as a fish farmer, presented his product – a smoked fish – to Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo. In appreciation, the elated Philanthropist and sponsor of Ara Nwezue Aku 2021, offered the young farmer a sum of N200,000.
6. Let it be known that Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo did not empower anyone with smoked fish.
7. We want to make it categorically clear that NYCC is not a political group. NYCC is an organisation for youth enterprise policy advocacy, information exchange, knowledge sharing, capacity building, youth business leadership development and networking of existing and potential Youth Business Executives (YBE).
SIGNED,
ARINZE OMENWA, STATE DIRECTOR NIGERIAN YOUTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANAMBRA STATE.
