By Peter Anosike

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A mentoring and financing firm, Easybiz Universal, recently berthed in the commercial city of Aba in Abia State to empower entrepreneurs from Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during an event held at MCC by Umuohiam, Aba.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Easybiz Universal, Mr. Godswill Ogidi, maintained that Nigerian entrepreneurs need to be motivated, especially under the current economic recession and high borrowing rate, high inflation, unfriendly taxation and lack of support from the government, so that only a miracle could keep Nigerians in business.
He disclosed that the disadvantages in doing business in Nigeria made his firm to decide to bring succour to the entrepreneurs.
Ogidi stated that, apart from the financial support, which was in the tune of hundreds of thousands of naira, Easybiz also mentors entrepreneurs to make sure that money given to them is properly invested.
According to him, with the current economic hardship, a lot of entrepreneurs are considering going to other countries with favourable economic policies and incentives for manufacturers, and if the Nigerian government fails to act fast by motivating and encouraging entrepreneurs, they may leave in large numbers for other countries.
He noted that, within three years of Easybiz coming into operation, it has mentored and financed over 140 entrepreneurs from different states of the federation, who are now catering for themselves and their relatives.
He also disclosed that Easybiz has an entreprenenur academy where those who want to become entrepreneurs are groomed, and afterwards the company would finance their businesses.
In his response, one of the recipients, Maduabuchi Nnawu, who was given N200,000, commended Easybiz for coming to his aid, especially under current economic hardship.
He said that Aba was yet to recover from the insecurity that led to the closure of most of the businesses in the town, adding that the recession in the country has worsened their plight, but with the grant they can now go back to business.
Another recipient, Madam Christie Etuk, who was also given N200,000 and a generator, described the day as one of her  happiest moments.
According to her, with the empowerment and the coaching that she received from Easybiz, she would build a very strong business, as well as become an employer of labour.
She praised the management of Easybiz for the noble decision to groom and empower entrepreneurs. She said that, with firms like Easybiz, unemployment and insecurity would soon be a thing of the past and appealed to government and other agencies responsible for employment in the country to assist Easybiz in its quest to make Nigeria a producing, rather than a consuming, nation.
Others who were also empowered on that day included Morris Oduemenalam, N150,000; Dr. John Ihuoma, N100,000; Martins Adibe and Samuel Okeh, 50,000, respectively.