President Bola Tinubu’s N20,000 Grant: A Lifeline for Small Business Owners
As we are in the era of transformation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as part of his election campaign promises a vulnerable grant program was launched across the country and in Cross River State, a human transformation initiative of the present government, after the launch our reporter went into the streets of Calabar to get the views from the few beneficiaries. Impact the stand to get from the grant. He spoke with a few of them.
Excerpt:
In the bustling city of Calabar, where dreams are born and hardworking individuals strive for a brighter future, the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s recently launched “Vulnerable Grant” is being felt far and wide. This remarkable initiative, aimed at uplifting the lives of small business owners in Cross River State, Nigerians in general, has proven to be a game-changer for many like Intense, a woman who sells fried groundnuts by the roadside.
Like many resilient entrepreneurs with diverse dreams of expanding their businesses, they are always faced with challenges due to limited capital. Like a woman who tries to fry groundnuts, her days were spent tirelessly trying to fry and packaging groundnuts, as she pushed her cart through the crowded streets, hoping to make enough sales to sustain her family. However, with the onset of the Ten-Year Transformational Agenda championed by President Bola Tinubu, Itanse’s fate took an unexpected turn.
A day before the launch, as Itanse Eyuba trudged along her usual route, she said she was approached by a government representative who shared the incredible news of the N20,000 grant that had been made available for struggling small business owners. Overwhelmed with gratitude and anticipation, Itanse wasted no time in joining the man at the launch, hoping it would bring her closer to achieving her dreams.
The weight of uncertainty lifted from her shoulders as she realized the endless possibilities this grant could bring. She immediately set out to invest it wisely, purchasing a new cart and a variety of premium groundnuts that would stand out among her competitors. With her business transformed, Itanse started attracting more customers, and her profits steadily increased.
She said, “I am Mrs. Itanse, I fry ground nut in our backyard, one morning last week as I trudged along our street a man met me he asked if I could follow him to 11/11, I followed him. Behold, it was like a dream to me, I collected tinubu’s N20,000 grant, and that has helped me a lot” I couldn’t believe it”
Elsewhere in the local market, another beneficiary of President Tinubu’s grant, Mrs.Helen Ayoka, eagerly displayed her freshly dried gray fish. In the past, Ayoka struggled to maintain a consistent supply due to financial constraints. However, with the assistance of the grant, within days she was able to expand her fish drying capabilities and secure bulk purchases from local fishermen. Thanks to President Tinubu’s vision, she now stands as a proud example of the positive trajectory small businesses can take with a little support.
“I told people we should support Tinubu as President, that this man meant well for this country, Thanks to President Tinubu, he has uplifted my business. With N20,000 I can grow from there, at least with N20,000, I can add up cash and get an extra bag. Thanks to our amiable President”
Similarly, Mabel Fred, a woman who fried and sold plantain chips, was finally able to invest in a professional-looking stall to attract more customers. The rejuvenated appearance of her business drew curious onlookers who soon became her loyal customers. With profits soaring, Mabel was not only able to support her family but also employed a local youth who was once struggling to find employment.
“I am Mrs. Mabel Fred, at least with an extra N20,000 I can now increase another lump of plantain, which will go a long way to put more food on our table, now I am calling on every Nigerians to support the peoples’ President to succeed”
The impact of the Vulnerable Grant extended beyond the realm of food vendors as well. Emmanuel Ekun, a talented shoemaker and father of seven, had always dreamed of expanding his modest shoe business. With the grant, he purchased new equipment and raw materials, enabling him to create high-quality shoes that garnered attention not only locally but across the state.
“I am thrilled, now with N20,000 I can buy a few yards of leather shoes, and with this kind gesture from our President initiative, with this also I will save more money to cater for my seven children, thanks to our able President for his magnanimity”
From the woman who moved about selling sachet water to the countless individuals whose lives were transformed, Madam Angela Imeh, President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a Ten-Year Transformational Agenda will slowly but surely become a reality. The N20,000 Vulnerable Grant acts as a much-needed catalyst, breathing new life into small businesses and empowering entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.
“With this N20,000 I will get more bags of pure water and make more profit from it, I think I can now start saving, I think the President deserves our support to enable him to succeed”
As President Tinubu continues to drive his transformative agenda, Nigeria witnesses the remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens. This grant, no matter how small it may seem, has sparked hope, instilled confidence, and created countless success stories. It signifies a brighter future for small business owners and serves as a testament to the power of inclusive initiatives that uplift the masses.
In the face of hardship, President Bola Tinubu’s visionary approach has not only infused hope into the lives of Nigerians but has also ignited a transformational journey that will shape the destiny of the nation.
