By Segun Adeyanju
The Ike-Elechi Ogba Foundation has empowered six budding entrepreneurs with a total of ₦2.5 million at the 2025 SouthEast Business Growth Conference in Abakaliki.
Held at Ryan Hotel, the event pulled over 300 participants including government officials, business experts and startup founders.
Themed “Ideas. Ambition. Opportunity,” the conference aimed to identify and support promising business ideas from young visionaries in the region.
Professor Ike-Elechi Ogba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), of Ebonyi State University and founder of the Foundation, declared during his keynote speech that the initiative was “a conscious decision to support our government and our people by integrating economic growth into our policy.”
The Foundation’s CEO, Chioma Ike-Elechi Ogba, urged collaboration between citizens, institutions and government to “build the future of the Southeast.”
Ten finalists pitched their businesses to a seasoned panel. Five emerged as winners of ₦500,000 each-Jidechukwu Nwabueze of Jelapetra Farms Ltd, Gideon Fidelis Ekom of RentBetaHouse Nigeria Ltd, Blessing Nweke of Especial Naturals, Chinyeaka Elom of Mebembe Farms, and Ogechi Nwonye of Eco-cyclers.
Moved by the quality of ideas, judges awarded an additional ₦200,000 to Success Egba of Success Nation, making it six winners.
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Professor Leonard C. Uguru, praised the Foundation for “connecting cultural heritage and entrepreneurship,” while Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development, Hon. Chidi Onyia, pledged ₦100,000 consolation grants to each of the five runners-up.
Professor Ogba hinted that preparations were already underway for the next edition, saying, “We’re already looking forward to next year.”
