By Uzo Ugwunze
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, District 9142, in partnership with Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation (UDUF Africa), has awarded N5 million in business grants to five entrepreneurs at the 2026 Under 45 CEOs Business and Leadership Summit in Onitsha.
The grants were presented during the Pitch and Win Contest at the sixth edition of the summit, held on Oct. 10 at the Youth Development Centre, 3 3, Federal Housing Estate, Onitsha, with the theme, “Rethinking Entrepreneurship.”
The summit brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and innovators to discuss business development, leadership, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
The contest initially offered N1.5 million, with N1 million for the winner and N500,000 for the runner up. However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Janksmay Global Services Ltd., Mr. Ifeanyi Onwuachu, donated an additional N3.5 million after being impressed by the quality and scalability of the business proposals.
The donation raised the total grant to N5 million, enabling all five finalists to receive N1 million each.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis and Founder of UDUF Africa, Rotarian Ezuma Smart Chinedu, described the grants as an investment in enterprises capable of creating jobs and addressing societal challenges.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses, noting that the impact of the grants would be measured by business growth, jobs created and lasting benefits to society.
Chinedu commended UDUF Africa, under its Continental President, Uplifter, Rotarian Christopher Uchenna, for providing a platform for youth empowerment and leadership development. He also thanked Onwuachu for supporting young entrepreneurs.
One of the judges, Rotarian Ugoo Abba, of the Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and Club Trainer of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, commended the finalists for their presentations.
Abba urged the beneficiaries to deploy the funds strategically to improve their operations and expand their businesses.
The Rotary Club said it would sustain its partnership with UDUF Africa through entrepreneurship, mentorship and business development programmes.
It also recommended a follow up mechanism to monitor how the beneficiaries use the funds, their business growth, job creation and sustainability, as well as link them with experienced mentors in finance, marketing and corporate governance.
Uzo Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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