Under 45 CEOs Summit: Rotary Club, UDUF Africa offer N5m grant to 5 entrepreneurs
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, District 9142, in partnership with Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation (UDUF Africa), has awarded a total of N5 million in business grants to five emerging entrepreneurs at the 2026 Under45CEOs Business and Leadership Summit held in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The grants, which saw each of the five finalists receive N1 million, were presented during the Pitch and Win Contest at the sixth edition of the summit held at the Youth Development Centre, Emos Best Street, Federal Housing Estate, 3-3, Onitsha.
The summit, organised under the theme, “Rethinking Entrepreneurship,” brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, innovators and aspiring business owners for discussions on enterprise development, leadership, networking and sustainable economic growth.
The initiative was designed to encourage participants to identify opportunities in everyday challenges, develop innovative business solutions and build enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to the development of the economy.
The Pitch and Win Contest initially provided N1 million for the first-place winner and N500,000 for the second-place winner, making a total of N1.5 million.
However, the intervention of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Janksmay Global Services Limited, Mr Ifeanyi Onwuachu, significantly expanded the funding opportunity.
Impressed by the quality, scalability and growth potential of the businesses presented by the finalists, Mr Onwuachu donated an additional N3.5 million, bringing the total grant to N5 million.
The additional funding made it possible for all five finalists to receive equal grants of N1 million each, rather than limiting the financial support to the first and second-place winners.
The gesture was widely regarded as a significant boost to the participating entrepreneurs, providing them with capital to strengthen their operations, expand their businesses and pursue sustainable growth.
Speaking on the initiative, President of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, and also the founder of UDUF AFRICA, Rtn. Ezuma Smart Chinedu said the intervention represented an investment in businesses with the potential to create employment, address societal challenges and contribute to economic development.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to ensure that the funds were used strictly for the purposes for which they were provided.
According to him, the grants should be viewed not merely as financial assistance but as an opportunity and responsibility for the beneficiaries to prove the viability of their business ideas.
He challenged them to remain disciplined, accountable and focused on building sustainable enterprises that could eventually create employment opportunities for others.
“The true success of the grant will not be measured only by the money received, but by the businesses built, the jobs created and the lasting impact achieved,” he said.
Ezuma commended UDUF Africa, under the leadership of its Continental President, Uplifter Christopher Uchenna, for providing a platform that promotes entrepreneurship, leadership development and youth empowerment.
He said the partnership between UDUF Africa and the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis demonstrated the impact that organisations with shared objectives could make when they collaborate to address societal challenges.
He expressed the club’s readiness to sustain the partnership through programmes focused on entrepreneurship, mentorship, business development and community impact.
The Rotary president also appreciated Mr Onwuachu for his N3.5 million contribution, describing the gesture as a demonstration of confidence in the capacity of young entrepreneurs to build successful and sustainable businesses.
He said the intervention showed how private-sector leaders could complement the efforts of service organisations and development foundations in promoting entrepreneurship, employment creation and economic growth.
One of the judges at the Pitch and Win Contest, Rtn. Ugoo Abba of the Department of Public Administration, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Club Trainer of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, commended the finalists for demonstrating the value and potential of their businesses.
Abba encouraged the beneficiaries to use the additional capital strategically to improve their operations and achieve sustainable growth.
He stressed the need for the entrepreneurs to translate their ideas into measurable value and justify the confidence and investment placed in them.
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis said it would continue to support initiatives capable of developing young leaders, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating lasting community impact.
The club also recommended the establishment of a follow-up mechanism to monitor the progress of the five beneficiaries and assess the impact of the grants on their businesses.
Such monitoring, according to the club, would focus on business growth, proper utilisation of the funds, employment creation, improved operations and sustainability.
It also suggested linking the beneficiaries with experienced entrepreneurs and professionals who could provide mentorship and guidance in areas including financial management, marketing, corporate governance and business expansion.
The club expressed appreciation to UDUF Africa, speakers, panellists, judges, sponsors, volunteers, participants and other stakeholders who contributed to the success of the summit.
It particularly acknowledged the members of the Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis for their commitment to service and community development.
The 2026 Under45CEOs Business and Leadership Summit was described as a practical demonstration of how collaboration between service organisations, non-profit foundations and private-sector leaders can transform entrepreneurial ideas into tangible opportunities.
The Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis expressed optimism that the five beneficiaries would use the grants to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs.
