Prince Mbata wows Owerri with N380M charity at a go

Businessman Prince Alex Mbata launched the largest ever empowerment programme in Owerri,capital of Imo, splashing N380 million worth of items to 3000 people.

In a ceremony at Ndubuisi Kanu Square, which was attended by Governor Hope Uzodimma and former governor Ikedi Ohakim and elder statesman Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Mbata even promised to do more.

He said his foundation will begin a N5million revolving loan to each of the nine local councils in the zone.

The loan will benefit petty traders and artisans. They could get as much as N100,000 each and secure as much as N200,000 six months if they return the first loan within six months.

On Thursday, the Prince Alex Mbata Foundation gave out 300 motorcycles, 500 hair driers, 500 sewing machines, N50,000 cash to 1,000 people.

It also distributed 2,000 bags of rice.

Mbata said his benevolence is a way of re-defining humanitarian services and in fulfilling God’s injunctions in Psalm 41 verses 1-2.

Contrary to insinuations that the programme may have political undertone he stated categorically: “I have no plan ‘B’ behind my mind in what I am doing. I have only plan ‘A’ which is to support Governor Hope Uzodimma to achieve and succeed in his administration of Imo State.”

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who was excited by Mbata’s gesture commended him for his generosity of heart.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that took over the Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Governor Uzodimma lauded Mbata for the enormous resources committed in the empowerment by his foundation.

“Government alone cannot take care of our citizens except through partnership with the private sector,” Uzodimma said.

“It is only through concerted partnership with the private sector that Government can make meaningful contributions that will have a rapid impact on our people.”

He urged other Imo citizens who may even be richer than Prince Mbata to follow suit “because according to the word of God anything done for the poor is done for God.”

“We don’t shy away from our commitment. We have come to do only that which is just. I have not come to continue with the wrong. So many people will be expecting that good things come too soon. But it does not always follow.”

On the importance of the Mbata empowerment programme, the Governor said: “It is a stimulus package to manage and control the negative effects of covid-19 where the people were locked down, shops closed, businesses shut down and the economy shrinked.

“It is only through activities of this nature that the people will once more recover and continue their livelihood.”

He enjoined the beneficiaries of the largesse to ensure they put whatever empowerment package they received to appropriate and positive use to the benefit of their families, their communities, wards, LGA and the State at large.