By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The Anioma Association USA, Inc. has empowered nine small business owners from across Anioma land with grants worth N4.5 million during its 2025 National Empowerment Program and Award Ceremony held on Friday, August 29, at the NUJ Press Centre, Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba.
The event, themed around unity, cultural pride, and community empowerment, brought together dignitaries, business leaders, cultural advocates, and representatives of Anioma communities from across Nigeria and the United States.
In his keynote address, Dr. Kpamioseh Anthony Ogbechie, National President of Anioma Association USA, described the initiative as a landmark project aimed at celebrating excellence and empowering the next generation of Anioma entrepreneurs.
“Today’s award is not merely about celebrating accomplishments but about renewing our shared values of vision and unity. Each awardee is part of the bigger story of Anioma’s growth. Your achievements affirm that our culture thrives not just in memory, but in actions that uplift others and forge lasting community bonds,” he said.
The empowerment grants, each worth N500,000, were awarded to one beneficiary from each of the nine Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District, after a rigorous and transparent selection process managed by the Empowerment Project Committee led by Dr. Samuel Nwachukwu Momah.
From 75 applications received, 59 qualified, before a final ballot selection at the Association’s National Summit in July produced the winners:
Isioma Abia (Aniocha North)
Roseline Ijebusonma Iwegbu (Aniocha South)
Joel Aketan (Ika North-East)
Godwin Oyesi Ayuwe (Ika South)
Olise Ogbolu Raphael (Oshimili North)
Okonji Nkem (Oshimili South)
Ifeoma Dibia (Ndokwa West)
Ikechukwu Gift Chekwube (Ndokwa East)
Stephen Ugochukwu Ogodu (Ukwuani)
Dr. Momah, who doubles as Vice President of the Association, stressed that the project was a product of careful planning, transparency, and teamwork.
“We are not only recognizing individual excellence today, but also celebrating our collective commitment to Anioma’s growth. From initiation to closure, every stage of this project was guided by accountability and a shared vision,” he noted.
The highlight of the ceremony was a keynote lecture by Mr. Godfrey Chukwudifu Osakwe, fnipr, a development communicator and Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of NIPR, titled “From Local to Global: Leveraging Smart Packaging and Digital Marketing to Scale Your Small Business.”
Osakwe charged the awardees to adopt modern tools of branding, packaging, and digital marketing to transform their small businesses into globally recognized brands.
“You are not just running a small business; you are building a brand. Package your product like you mean business. Market it like the world is your stage – because truly, it is,” he told the cheering audience.
The empowerment program, described as a “vote of confidence in Anioma entrepreneurship”, represents the Association’s broader mission of fostering unity, cultural pride, and economic empowerment both in the diaspora and at home.
Anioma Association USA, Inc., founded over two decades ago, has consistently supported education, health, and community development initiatives, while serving as a bridge between Anioma people in the United States and Nigeria.
With this year’s initiative, the Association pledged to expand its empowerment programs, scholarships, and cultural outreach, while calling on beneficiaries to use their grants as springboards for business growth and community impact.
The event ended with a resounding cheer of “Anioma Nu! Ofu Obi Bu Ike Ayi!” (Anioma people! Unity is our strength).