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BOMADI—THE Arapamowei of Kabowei Kingdom, philanthropist and activist, Chief Mike Loyibo, weekend, doled out N20 million to youths,   traders,   farmers and palm wine tappers from his country home Tuomo,   Ekeremor and other riverine communities in Delta and   Bayelsa States, as part of activities to mark his 49thbirthday.

A beneficiary receiving his gift

Each of the 40 beneficiaries went home with N500,000   to enable them revitalize their businesses.

The empowerment programme was attended by the former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, who chaired the event, Senator James Manager, Hon Nicholas Mutu, Delta State PDP chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso, Rt Hon. Emma Ogor, Chief Pius Sinebe, Hon Newworld Safugha, Prof Benjamin Okaba, Hon. P. C. Embelegha (JP), Hon Godknows Angele and a host of others.

In his speech, Loyibo said: “The purpose of life is to give back to society. If you have wealth and you have not impacted on the needy, that is no wealth. This gesture is purely a charity work, it is not political and I have no intention to vie for any elective office for now.”

On the sorry state of the Niger Delta as the wealth-base of the Nigerian nation, he said: “We need to hold Niger Delta leaders responsible for the underdevelopment in the region. I am not pleased with the current situation of the region.”

“We Niger Delta people are not happy and pleased with the response of the Federal Government to the peace of the region. We will continue to appeal to the restive youths to give peace a chance,” he said.

He further called on the federal and state governments, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to respond without any further delay to the coastal erosion problem threatening Tuomo community, warning, “If quick attention is not given to the situation, the whole community would be taken by the phenomenon in no distant time.”

Responding for the beneficiaries, Messrs Francis Ombe and Welkpe Afuruku Daniel assured that they would put the money into profitable ventures to create wealth for themselves and families, and thanked Loyibo for his display of love and care for the needy.