A winner has emerged in the May 2020 edition of the “Help the Smart worker” competition, organized by political pressure group, the Princewill’s Political Associates (PPA) specifically for entrepreneurs, youth and residents of Rivers State who are engaged in small, micro and medium business ventures. The monthly prize is a cash grant ofN150,000.00.
The contest, which is a brainchild of the PPA leader, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill is also intended to encourage residents of the state to venture into productive economic activities which in turn will lead to job creation, prosperity and economic development in the state. You will recall the winner of the April edition was a barbing salon owner who was seeking to open a second shop.
Ms.Naomi Duke, whose business proposal was targeted on the expansion of her Interior Decoration/Household makeover business, was selected as the most viable by the panel of judges. Ms. Duke, who is the first female winner, is also a grassroots mobilizer for the All Progressive Congress in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state.
She has been running her interior design company, DASHIB Designs for more than six years. Her proposal was chosen ahead of two other proposals, one on expansion of mini restaurant and the other, a fresh fruit /vegetable business in a keenly contested competition which had over one thousand contestants.
In her remarks after the live online announcement as the winner of the contest, Ms. Duke thanked the Princewill Political Associates for the gesture which she described as a pleasant surprise and a dream come true.
She called on other entrepreneurs, especially women in business and in politics, to take advantage of the platform to increase and improve their productivity instead of solely relying on political handouts. She further wished the participants of the June 2020 edition, good luck.
Speaking on behalf of Princewill’s Political Associates, Mr. Emmanuel Dagogo congratulated Ms. Duke and advised her on the need to be a good ambassador for other women politicians in business by putting the prize money into judicious use. He also called on the general public to stay safe and adhere to medical advice to curtail the spread of Covid 19 which is currently on the rise in the state.