Kestin Pondi, managing director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, made headlines on Monday by distributing N800 million ($570,000) in business grants to 80 Nigerian entrepreneurs during a ceremony in Effurun, Delta State.
The event, held at the MBB Event Center in Uvwie Local Government Area, marked the second edition of Pondi’s privately funded empowerment initiative aimed at strengthening small businesses and creating jobs nationwide.
The empowerment program, described as one of the largest privately funded business support initiatives in the Niger Delta, attracted government officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders.
Initially, 50 beneficiaries were selected to receive N5 million each. At the event, Pondi increased the grant to N10 million per recipient, raising the initial allocation from N250 million to N500 million.
Additional contributions from Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi, Delta State Commissioner for Power and Energy Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, and Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Managing Director Chief Festus Ochonogor brought the total payout to N800 million, benefiting 80 entrepreneurs.
Beneficiaries were drawn from all 36 states of Nigeria, chosen from over 26,000 applications. After a rigorous screening process, 50 primary recipients were selected, representing a wide array of industries including agriculture, technology, and food production. Some of the businesses supported include Abizen Foods, BlueHive Tech, Vanguard Farms, Pillars Bakery, Jay Sea Food, Urban Threads Collective, and Shola Pepper Farm.
Pondi emphasized that businesses supported in the program’s inaugural 2025 edition had already expanded and created additional jobs. He highlighted the challenging business environment in Nigeria and said, “We decided to reach out to Nigerians across the country through a thorough screening exercise to pick those who really need this assistance to grow their businesses.”
Pondi emphasized that businesses supported in the program’s inaugural 2025 edition had already expanded and created additional jobs. He highlighted the challenging business environment in Nigeria and said, “We decided to reach out to Nigerians across the country through a thorough screening exercise to pick those who really need this assistance to grow their businesses.”
