In a striking gesture of philanthropy and grassroots empowerment, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh (Prince of Mburubu) has disbursed non-refundable grants totalling N50 million to the people of his hometown, Mburubu, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. The wide-reaching intervention aims to boost farming activities, uplift local businesses, and complement Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s mission to eradicate poverty from every home in the state.
The funds, drawn from Dr. Ezeh’s personal resources, were distributed directly to hundreds of beneficiaries, with individuals receiving between N200,000 and N500,000, while each of the community’s villages received N1 million. The youth of Mburubu were collectively given a special grant of N3 million to encourage enterprise and innovation.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony, Dr. Ezeh said his initiative was not a political gesture but a deliberate contribution to support Governor Mbah’s economic vision.
“This is personal money, but I am driven by a shared mission with His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, to ensure that poverty is eradicated from every household in our dear state,” Dr. Ezeh stated. “We must ask ourselves every day: how are we supporting the government to bring prosperity to our people?”
He appealed to the beneficiaries to use the resources judiciously so that “more people can benefit in the next round.” He also called on affluent sons and daughters of Enugu State to emulate the gesture, urging them to give back to their roots.
To ensure equitable distribution, the funds were handed out via direct cheques during a well-attended community ceremony. Among the notable individual beneficiaries were artisans, small-scale farmers, traders, and traditional community leaders.
A long list of recipients received N200,000 each, including Mrs. Blessing Aniobi, Peter Chukwu, Cletus Egbo, Mercy Edeh, Chief Denis Aniobi, and Ogbonna Chukwu, among others. Over 50 names appeared in this category.
Recipients of N300,000 included High Chief Cornelius Aniobi, Helen Onyeabor, Emmanuel Abraham Aniobi, and Ozo John Nwosu, alongside several women and youth. More than 40 people received this mid-tier funding.
At the highest level, individuals like Jeff Okuta, Joseph Onu, and Chief Geodge Enyim were each granted N500,000 to support larger-scale business or farming projects.
In a significant push to empower communal structures, each of the following villages received N1 million: Umudara, Uhuegbe, Uhuagu, Obinagu, Umunafor, Amanator, Amachi, and both the men and women of the Umuogbuewu family. The Mburubu youth, a vital demographic for sustainable development, were awarded N3 million to implement group-led economic initiatives.
“This money is not for lavish spending. It is for farming, for trade, for enterprise. Let it be seed capital that yields harvests of prosperity,” Dr. Ezeh advised.
Community members welcomed the support with visible gratitude, describing the grants as “timely and transformative.” Chief Emmanuel Edeh, a recipient, praised Dr. Ezeh’s commitment to grassroots development: “He is not just talking about change—he is making it happen.”
Another beneficiary, Cecilia Aniobi, who received N300,000, said, “This is the first time many of
us are getting direct support without political strings. It will help me expand my cassava farm.”
Dr. Ezeh’s gesture comes at a time when food security and small business growth are central to Governor Mbah’s strategic development plan for Enugu State. By aligning his personal philanthropy with public policy, Dr. Ezeh has positioned himself as a leading example of public-private synergy in community development.
He urged Mburubu residents to continue supporting the Governor’s programmes: “The transformation of Enugu State requires unity of purpose. Let us walk hand in hand with the government.”
Dr. Ezeh concluded by assuring the community that more interventions will come if the funds are used wisely: “This is only the beginning. Let this yield harvests of success that will multiply opportunities for all.”
Lot of beneficiaries
Ogbonna Chukwu – 200,000
Chief Ralph Imeka – 200,000
Chief Denis Aniobi – 200,000
Okonkwo Ogbonna – 200,000
Blessing Aniobi – 200,000
Fredrick Aniobi – 200,000
Victoria Chukwu – 200,000
Chimezie Nwogho – 200,000
Blessing Okafor – 200,000
Maria Chidebe – 200,000
Cletus Egbo – 200,000
Florence Chukwu – 200,000
Nwachukwu Dorathy – 200,000
Mercy Edeh – 200,000
Augustine Edeh – 200,000
Ekene Chukwu – 200,000
Elias Okeke – 200,000
Augustine Nwachukwu – 200,000
Amaechi Romanus – 200,000
Nwanzi Joseph – 200,000
Roseline Chukwu – 200,000
Baby Paul – 200,000
Nneka Nwokike – 200,000
Linus Nwankwo – 200,000
Alfred Nwigwe – 200,000
Charles Aniobi – 200,000
Onovo Jonas – 200,000
Chukwu Ambrose – 200,000
Peter Chukwu (sir pee) – 200,000
Anthony Chibuikem Mbah – 200,000
Joy Oluchi Nwankwo – 200,000
Chukwu Ndubuisi – 200,000
Chima Omah – 200,000
Peter Okeke – 200,000
Gabriel Onovo – 200,000
Esther Enyim – 200,000
Emmanuel Njoku – 200,000
Florence Nwaju – 200,000
Onyema Eze – 200,000
Edwin Udeh – 200,000
Lawrence Edeh Aniobi – 200,000
Josephine Nwafor – 200,000
Aniebo Chukwu – 200,000
Benedict Onu – 200,000
Ogbonna Aniobi – 200,000
Susanna Aniobi – 200,000
Edwin Aniobi – 200,000
Felicia Chukwu – 200,000
John Egbo – 200,000
Elizabeth Nwogbo – 200,000
Onu Elizabeth – 200,000
Helen Aniobi 2- 00,000
Paul Njoku – 200,000
Cecilia Aniobi U – 200,000
Mary Nwafor – 200,000
Onyemaechi John – 300,000
Helen Onyeabor – 300,000
Christopher Edeonu D.P.G 300,000
Chief Everist Edeani 300,000
High Chief Cornelius Aniobi – 300,000
Patrick Chukwuorji – 300,000
Cecilia Edu Amobi – 300,000
Emmanuel Abraham Aniobi – 300,000
Eze Cecilia – 300,000
Chukwu Helen Eze – 300,000
Onyeabor Ekwueme – 300,000
Okoro Ogonna – 300,000
Nwigwe Tochukwu – 300,000
Chukwu Mercy – 300,000
Onyeabor Kelvin – 300,000
Okorie Stephen – 300,000
Onyeabor Sunday – 300,000
Owe Ikechukwu – 300,000
Godwin Nworie – 300,000
Onuvo Nwadibie – 300,000
Peter Onu – 300,000
Chief Okonkwo Agwu – 300,000
Virgina Okorie Eze – 300,000
Lolo Ogechukwu Ede – 300,000
Lady B – 300,000
Ozo John Nwosu – 300,000
Cecilia Okafor – 300,000
Ezinne Precious Nwodo – 300,000
Uche Chukwu – 300,000
Ikechukwu Indubisi -n300,000
Ikechukwu Anyim – 300,000
Edwin Uden – 300,000
Roselin Okeke – 300,000
Ambros Amiobi – 300,000
Okudiri Dominic Ogbu – 300,000
Chief Kingsley Eze – 300,000
Alhaji Raymond Nwachukwu – 300,000
Jeff Okuta – 500,000
Linus Igbuolu – 500,000
Simon Aniobi – 500,000
Joseph Onu – 500,000
Emma Ede – 500,000
Joseph Nwonkwo – 500,000
Okechukwu Chukwudike – 500,000
King David – 500,000
Okeke Michael – 500,000
Chief Geodge Enyim – 500,000
High Chief Sunday Chinwuba – 500,000
Emmanuel Ezeh – 500,000
Abata Anari – 500,000
Umudara Village 1,000,000
Uhuegbe Village –1,000,000
Uhuagu Village – 1,000,000
Obinagu Village 1,000,000
Umunafor Village – 1,000,000
Amanator Village – 1,000,000
Amachi Village – 1,000,000
Umuogbuewu Family Men – 1,000,000
Umuogbuewu Family Women – 1,000,000
Mburubu Youths – 3,000,000
