The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (Ph.D., CFR), has commended the Jerry Eze Foundation for its commitment to economic empowerment, as 240 entrepreneurs received business grants at a ceremony in Abuja .
The event, themed “Empowering Dreams: A Business Grant Award Ceremony,” was also attended by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, who publicly disclosed that the agency had investigated Pastor Jerry Eze for six months but cleared him of any wrongdoing .
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Speaker Kalu praised the foundation for its strategic approach to poverty alleviation, moving beyond temporary relief to sustainable support . He encouraged the beneficiaries to use the grants to create jobs, support families, and contribute to the nation’s economy .
“Two hundred and forty entrepreneurs will receive these grants. You can imagine the ripple effect: 240 businesses with a potential to employ hundreds more,” Kalu stated . He emphasized that while governments make policies, the private sector and faith-based organizations drive actual economic impact .
Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, noted that the grants were designed to support small business owners who lack capital to scale up .
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, previously cleared the pastor of money laundering allegations, stating that the high volumes of foreign currencies flowing into his account were legitimate donations from international followers and not criminally sourced . Olukoyede urged the cleric to maintain transparency and confirm that the commission also recognizes integrity .
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