By Ovat Abeng
No fewer than 30 youths drawn from Anambra State and beyond have received financial empowerment from Faithspiration Initiative during their just concluded youth forum season 3.
The event, themed “Ablazed with the Fire of God,” held at the Basilica Square of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, brought together young people, church leaders and key stakeholders.
The empowerment package, totalling N15 million, was sponsored by member representing Idemili North and South Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Harris Annie Okonkwo alongside the National Chairman of APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa, Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Janksmay Global Services, Engr Ifeanyi Micheal Onwuachu.
In his welcome speech, the founder of the Initiative, Very Rev. Fr. Dr George Adimike, said the programme was designed to empower and guide young people towards productive and faith-driven lives.
According to him, the Initiative was established to address the challenges of youth restiveness in Anambra State and Nigeria at large, noting that the initiative has consistently supported vulnerable families to ease the effects of economic hardship and has also provided seed capital to many small and medium scale entrepreneurs across the State.
He said the initiative is not only to provide an avenue for financial independence but also a sense of hope and purpose in a most challenging moment like this where hardship is on the increase in Nigeria.
He explained that the initiative also caters for people whose businesses were not doing well in addition to those whose small businesses needed upgrades.
He explained that beneficiaries were carefully screened and trained before receiving financial support to ensure sustainability in their businesses.
Fr Adimike stressed that the initiative will go a long way in providing financial independence to youths, reiterating the commitment of the organization to partner with Government, Civil Society Organizations, well-to-do individuals and the media to address the looming rate of poverty in Nigeria.
He advised the beneficiary youths to make judicious used of the funds, to do away with crime and venture into business that will make them self reliant and to better the society as well.
He also commended the security personnel, especially, the state owned security outfit (Udo-Ga-Achi and Agunechemba) for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere before, during and other the programme.
Fr. George however hinted that the Faithspiration activities anchors on Empowerment, Entertainment, and Evangelism, adding that it is a forum which brought youth closer to God just to he said the empowerment is for both Catholics and none Catholic.
He specifically eulogized Archbishop Valerian Maduka Okeke who was conspicuously present during the event.
Other dignitaries at the event included Onitsha North local government Chairman, Hon. Tony Nwora, Immediate past commissioner for youth and development, Anambra State, Hon. Patrick Aghamba, members representing Idemili North and South in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Ebuka Igwe and others.
The cleric further appreciated Priests and religious, members of Faithspiration Initiative especially port Harcourt branch, Uyo, Benin Republic, Bayelsa, Delta state, Enugu, Nsukka, Awka, amongst other for being present.
In their separate remarks, Hon Okonkwo, Ezeokenwa, Umeh and Onwuachu appreciated Fr Adimike for his very inspiring commitment to the development of the youth.
They promised to continue to support the Initiative especially, in the area of youth development.
The beneficiaries in their unanimous appreciation, thanked the founder for the kind gesture.
