Posted by Chinenye on Wed 15th Jul, 2026 - tori.ng
A major empowerment initiative has put smiles on the faces of outstanding graduates as the Abia State Government fulfilled a key promise aimed at boosting entrepreneurship.
(Alex Otti. Photo by News Express)
The Abia State Government has disbursed ₦1 million business grants to 100 distinction graduates of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, under its Graduate Empowerment Grant Scheme.
The beneficiaries, all of whom graduated with distinction across various programmes, received the grants as part of the state's push to promote entrepreneurship and reward outstanding academic achievement.
Governor Alex Otti had unveiled the initiative at the institution's convocation ceremony on December 5, 2025, explaining that the scheme was intended to support exceptional graduates in setting up businesses, generating employment, and contributing to the state's economic growth.
The governor noted that the programme is part of a broader strategy by his administration to involve young people actively in Abia's development, particularly in key areas such as road infrastructure, housing, electricity, and public water supply.
"The days of letting our best and brightest brains wander off after graduation and begin to struggle in far-off corners of the world without support are gone," Otti had said.
"The message to students in all our tertiary institutions is clear: do your best, and we shall offer you further material leverage to find genuine success right here in Abia."
Ahead of the disbursement, the polytechnic, working alongside the Abia State Government, held a one-day entrepreneurship and business start-up workshop for the beneficiaries.
Facilitators drawn from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other entrepreneurship-focused organisations trained the graduates on business development and enterprise management.
Speaking to participants, the Rector, Engr. Dr Christopher Kalu, said the workshop was designed to equip the beneficiaries with the knowledge to responsibly deploy the grant through entrepreneurship and business development, urging them to channel the funds into ventures capable of generating sustainable income and creating value.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Eme Uche Eme, also charged the beneficiaries to make wise use of the grant.
"It's not for hair or for pride; it's for innovation and the creation of things that will take you beyond here.
If you do well after the next six months, the state government will support you more," she said.
She further commended the Rector for raising the institution's profile and pledged the ministry's continued support as the polytechnic progresses with its relocation to the Osisioma Campus.
At the end of the workshop, the beneficiaries received their ₦1 million grants each, marking the fulfilment of the Abia State Government's pledge to provide start-up capital to outstanding graduates for business development.