The Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program has empowered ten female small business owners with N100,000 grants......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The gesture was made to celebrate Nneka Chidoka’s 76th posthumous birthday as a way of continuing her legacy of compassion and support for women.
Osita Chidoka, a former minister of Aviation and chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, announced the grants on Friday, calling on female entrepreneurs running small businesses with a team of 2 to 5 staff, operating from their homes or small shops, and with a daily turnover of less than N100,000 to signify interest.
“She would have been 76 years old today. Are you a female entrepreneur? Do you have between 2 and 5 staff? Do you operate from your house or have a shop? Is your daily turnover less than 100k? Are you a Mekaria Mentorship Program Attaché?
“Answer these questions and send a message to Sarah Ogbeialu Eke first 5 women to respond and meet these criteria will receive a message from Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program today. On your marks, set, go,” he wrote.
The response was overwhelming, with more than 50 women sharing their stories. One of the requirements was membership in Chidoka’s Mekaria Mentorship Program, from which ten women were selected and awarded N100,000 each to grow their businesses.
One of the recipients, Nkechi Eze, a small-scale fashion designer, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This support is a dream come true for me. It’s not just about the money; it’s about knowing someone believes in me and my business.”
Nneka Chidoka, who passed away in 2023 following a 15-year battle with cancer, was known for her resilience and commitment to helping others. Her children, led by her first son, Chief Osita Chidoka, ensure that her legacy lives on through the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program, a foundation dedicated to empowering women and promoting early cancer diagnosis.
The outreach program’s primary focus is cancer awareness, screening, advocacy, and intervention. The efforts in that regard have been remarkable. Over 2,000 women have been screened for cancer, with more than 60 women receiving free surgeries. The program has also provided treatment for more than 1,000 persons with various ailments, including distributing corrective eyeglasses to improve vision.
The Nneka Chidoka Outreach Program also supports the educational development of young people.
During her memorial service, the program paid school fees for over 500 students in Obosi, ensuring that young people in her community could continue their schooling with less burden on their parents. This initiative reflects the Late Nneka Chidoka’s lifelong belief, as a former primary school teacher, in the transformative power of education.
“Our mother’s life inspired us to be positive, considerate, and empathise with people. The outreach programs are a testament to her boundless strength and compassion,” Mr Chidoka said.
Last year, after her funeral, over a hundred petty traders in Obosi, Ozubulu, and Ohafia received cash grants to support their businesses. This is in fulfilment of her wish that we support small-female-owned businesses as a way of breaking systemic family poverty.
“The program is more than just a charity. It reflects our mother’s core values – a belief in the strength of community, the importance of education, and the need for accessible healthcare,” Mr Chidoka added.
