EFFURUN / WARRI — In a major boost to the Niger Delta’s local economy, High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has distributed ₦800 million in business grants to 80 young Nigerian entrepreneurs. The ceremony, held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the MBB Event Center in Effurun, Delta State, marks the second edition of a philanthropic initiative that has nearly quadrupled in scale in just one year.
Initially designed to empower 50 beneficiaries with ₦10 million each, the program was dramatically expanded at the venue following significant contributions from key regional leaders.
The ₦300 Million “On-the-Spot” Surge
The grant pool grew from its ₦500 million base to ₦800 million after three prominent Niger Delta figures pledged an additional ₦100 million each. This collective philanthropy allowed the committee to increase the number of winners from 50 to 80, ensuring that each beneficiary received a life-changing ₦10 million capital injection.
The Co-Sponsors of the 2026 Expansion:
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High Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi: General Manager (Operations), TSSNL.
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Mr. Michael Ifeanyi Anoka: Delta State Commissioner for Power and Energy.
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Chief Festus Ochonogor: MD/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
From “Creek” to “Commerce”: The Economic Vision
High Chief Pondi, affectionately known as “Daddy Kess,” emphasized that the initiative is more than a birthday gesture; it is a strategic effort to transition youth from “creek-based” activities to formal, sustainable enterprises.
Growth Comparison: 2025 vs. 2026 | Metric | 2025 (Maiden Edition) | 2026 (Second Edition) | | :— | :— | :— | | Total Grant Pool | ₦190 Million — ₦200 Million | ₦800 Million | | Total Beneficiaries | 38 — 40 Entrepreneurs | 80 Entrepreneurs | | Grant per Individual | ₦5 Million | ₦10 Million | | Selection Pool | ~9,000 Applications | ~26,000 Applications |
“When you invest in entrepreneurs, you invest in the future,” Pondi stated. “From records of our first edition, those empowered last year have expanded their businesses and helped employ others. This is the multiplier effect we are targeting.”
More Than Just Cash: Mentorship and Training
To ensure the funds are “judiciously utilized,” the 2026 program included mandatory business management training. Beneficiaries will also be monitored by a dedicated committee for one year to provide guidance and ensure the capital drives real job creation in sectors ranging from agritech and logistics to fashion and beauty luxe.
Recognition and Birthday Legacy
The event also featured the presentation of a birthday cake to Chief Pondi by the Business Grant Committee, in honor of his February 4 birthday. Notable dignitaries in attendance included Anthony Ofoni (Uvwie LG Chairman), Orode Uduaghan (Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs), and Kelly Penawou (Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs), all of whom praised the initiative as a benchmark for private-sector social responsibility in Nigeria.
