₦300 Million Boost: 30 Entrepreneurs Benefit as Kestin Pondi Expands Business Grant to 80 Nationwide
By Paul Ebi
A fresh wave of empowerment has swept across the Niger Delta as 30 additional entrepreneurs received ₦10 million each under the Kestin Pondi Business Grant 2.0, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 80 and fulfilling the promised ₦300 million expansion.
The initiative, driven by Kestin Pondi alongside Tare Godfrey Pondi, Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, and Festus M. Ochonogor, had initially supported 50 entrepreneurs before scaling up following commitments made during the first batch presentation on March 9, 2026.
The latest disbursement ceremony was held at the MBB Consortium in Effurun, where beneficiaries participated in a business seminar and panel session featuring success stories from the 2025 grant recipients.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Victor Isereke, underscored the broader vision behind the initiative, noting that the grant is designed to drive sustainable enterprise growth across Nigeria. He urged beneficiaries to apply the funds strategically to build impactful and scalable ventures.
Also addressing participants, Tantita Administrative Manager, Daisy Jaja, delivered a stern but encouraging message, emphasizing discipline and accountability. She cautioned beneficiaries against misusing the funds, stating that the grant is a seed meant for investment and growth, not consumption.
In a similar vein, Nicholas Igarama, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone, alongside Goru Oghenekaro, reiterated the importance of utilizing the grant strictly for business purposes. They stressed that the real impact of the initiative would be measured by the success stories that emerge and the ripple effect on communities.
Beneficiaries, visibly elated, described the grant as life-changing. One recipient called it a “dream come true,” highlighting the difficulty of accessing such capital through conventional banking systems. Another described the opportunity as “grace,” praising Kestin Pondi as a rare benefactor and pledging to justify the confidence reposed in them.
With the disbursement now complete, beneficiaries will transition into a post-grant business development programme—an innovative mentorship initiative spearheaded by Kestin Pondi. The programme offers lifetime guidance from seasoned business coaches aimed at ensuring sustainability and long-term growth.
As the Kestin Pondi Business Grant continues to expand, it is fast becoming a powerful catalyst for entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic transformation across Nigeria.
