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EME Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Scheme II (July 2024)

The EME Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grant – Scheme II, launched in May 2024, was designed to empower young entrepreneurs from the Owerri region with funding, training, and mentorship to bring their business ideas to life. Over one transformative month, the initiative attracted over 1,100 online applications, marking a strong response from aspiring innovators across Imo State.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants were required to meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Be between 21 and 40 years old
  • Originate from one of the following local government areas: Owerri North, Owerri West, or Owerri Municipal
  • Have an existing business or an intended business located in Imo State
  • Present a strong and viable business plan

Only candidates who met all three criteria and submitted robust business concepts were considered for the next stage.

Selection s Interview Process

After screening by independent Canadian firm Dgytal Inc., 250 qualified applicants advanced to a three-day Zoom interview session. These interviews further assessed their readiness,

business potential, and commitment.

Entrepreneurship Training

Following the interviews, 5G exceptional candidates were selected for an intensive two-day entrepreneurship workshop facilitated by Kleos Advisory Africa. The training covered:

  • Identifying and validating business opportunities
  • Customer-focused product and service development
  • Financial planning and tactical money management
  • Creative marketing and competitive positioning
  • Building effective teams
  • Pitching strategies for investors

Guest speaker Babatunde Akin-Moses added practical insights from his entrepreneurial journey in Nigeria.

Award Ceremony s Grant Disbursement

The program concluded with a celebratory award ceremony attended by:

  • Ikenna Egbukole, Founder, EME Foundation
  • HRM Eze Uchenna Mitchell Egbukole, Ochoronma VI of Egbu Kingdom
  • Members of the Board of Trustees
  • Royal leaders, government officials, NGO representatives, and the press During the event:
  • 50 beneficiaries received grants of ₦1,000,000 each
  • G additional beneficiaries in the compassionate category received ₦500,000 each
  • A total of ₦55.4 million was disbursed

Impact

The presentation of cheques symbolized not just financial support, but a strong commitment to nurturing innovation, reducing unemployment, and strengthening the economic backbone of communities across Owerri and Imo State.

This initiative stands as a testament to the Foundation’s mission: empowering the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs who will shape the future.

Vestal Egbukole Foundation – Caring for the Girl Child Initiative (December 2024)

Vestal Egbukole Foundation – Caring for the Girl Child Initiative (December 2024)

In December 2024, the Vestal Egbukole Foundation (VEF) commemorated the 7th memorial of the late Ugoeze (Lady) Vestal C. Egbukole with a significant outreach dedicated to supporting adolescent girls in the Owerri zone. Over a focused 5-day period (December 9th to 13th), the Foundation successfully reached 7,000 schoolgirls across 10 secondary schools, delivering essential menstrual health supplies and vital education. What We Provided:

Each of the 7,000 beneficiaries received a comprehensive menstrual hygiene pack designed to ensure health and dignity:

Item

Description

Reusable Pads

One pack of high-quality, sustainable sanitary pads.

Disposable Pads

One pack for immediate, convenient use.

VEF Notebook

A branded notebook for schoolwork.

Pen

A writing instrument to support their education.

Health Education & Engagement

The outreach team, expertly supported by qualified doctors and nurses, conducted interactive and practical sessions to equip the girls with crucial knowledge and confidence:

  • Menstrual Hygiene & Reproductive Health: Core principles of staying healthy.
  • Proper Use & Care: Detailed guidance on washing and maintaining reusable pads.
  • Safe Disposal: Instructions for the hygienic and safe disposal of disposable pads.

These engaging sessions were strategically designed to empower young girls with the practical skills needed to manage their menstrual health with dignity.—–✨ Impact & Commitment

By successfully reaching 7,000 girls, the “Caring for the Girl Child Initiative” is actively contributing to:

  • Removing Barriers to Education
  • Reducing Period Poverty
  • Promoting Long-Term Wellbeing
 
 

This initiative powerfully reflects the Vestal Egbukole Foundation’s deep commitment to empowering girls, strengthening communities, and honoring the enduring legacy of Lady Vestal C. Egbukole.

VESTAL EGBUKOLE FOUNDATION: CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

Since our incorporation in 2019 and in line with our vision, we have held various outreach programmes under three umbrellas, within which we carry out our mission, which are:

  • Entrepreneurship Development –  Provide financial empowerment (seed capital) to entrepreneurs
  • Welfare Provision – Give palliatives in the form of food items and cash gifts to rural dwellers
  • Capacity Building – Avail various training to develop women

Subsequent to the VESTAL EGBUKOLE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHEME which was held in February 2019, where 21 women from Egbu Autonomous Community, selected in line with set criteria, were each given a seed capital of N120,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira Only) to start a trade or support their existing trade.

We provided a platform for financial literacy as we opened accounts for them and offered Financial literacy training that covered stock keeping, marketing & sales, and preparation of profit and loss statements.

We believe that the success of their diverse businesses is not solely dependent on the provision of seed capital but also on financial literacy and training to grow their business.

Children’s Day 2021

In celebration of Children’s Day, the Eze Mitchell Egbukole Foundation provided a free meal and writing materials to over 2000 children in Imo state on May 30th, 2021.

End of Year Support Programme for Indigent Women in Owerri North LGA

On December 6th, 2020 the Vestal Egbukole Foundation had its “End of Year Support Programme for Indigent Women in Owerri North LGA.

The palliative scheme was for the less privileged women across Owerri North LGA who are in dire need as this year has been very difficult for most people across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Consequently, 250 women across Owerri North LGA received palliatives in form of food items and cash gifts to aid them during this yuletide season.

For this year 2020 end of year support program, the following items were given to each of the 250 women: 

1. Bag of rice (25kg)

2. Groundnut Oil (3 Litres)

3. Sachets of Tomato paste 

4. Milo and Milk

5. Cash gift of N5,000

and a VEF T-Shirt

The Disbursement ceremony held at Obi Eze Egbu, Egbu Owerri, Imo State. Prince Ikenna Egbukole, the Founder of the NGO said that the idea was to keep the memories of their late mother alive and touch the lives of the less privileged in rural communities. 

The Director-General of Vestal Egbukole Foundation, Ezinne Elizabeth Baje disclosed that the vision of the Non-Governmental and Non-Profit making organization which was conceived `in memory of Ugoeze Lady Vestal Egbukole is to become a fundamental catalyst for alleviating poverty in families, promote growth and quality of life for rural dwellers across Nigeria through various outreach programmes.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC: SUPPORT FOR LESS PRIVILEGED WOMEN IN EGBU COMMUNITY

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is a serious threat to humanity. This pandemic has changed our everyday life as we know it, bringing social and economic difficulties for everyone across the globe.

On March 29th, 2020 the Federal Government of Nigeria announced a 14 days lockdown for some states. This lockdown though very vital has affected the livelihood of most people across the globe.

Thus, we were pleased to partner with The VESTAL  EGBUKOLE FOUNDATION in their Relief Scheme initiative to provide financial assistance to the less privileged women who are unable to afford the basic amenities at this time

On Wednesday, April 8th, 2020, 100 women across Egbu Autonomous Community, comprising 5 each from the 20 Kindreds were given N5,000 each. This relief scheme is aimed at the very poor in the communities who are worse hit as their daily livelihood has been halted due to the lockdown.

At this time our sympathies are with everyone that has been affected directly and indirectly by the outbreak and we wish them well. Our thanks and prayers go out to all healthcare workers, local and international agencies and governments across the globe, who work tirelessly, with some putting their lives at risk, to contain the virus.

This is a defining period for humanity we need to be brave, supportive, and cooperative to overcome this Pandemic (COVID-19). Now more than ever, we need to be each other’s keeper by observing the best hygiene and complying with the local and international health authorities’ guidelines.

Surely we will get through this, by God’s grace.