STORY BY THE SOUTH SOUTH HEAD OF OPERATIONS
Better days ahead for Akwa Ibom State Female Youth as the Wife of Governor, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel today 6th July, 2021, flagged-off a “Get a Skill Initiative” aimed at training and empowering the younger generation of women with entrepreneurial skills.
The event which held at Ibom Hall, Uyo, with the theme “Building a Sustainable Future through Skill Acquisition,” had over 2000 female youth from the 31 local government areas of the state in attendance.
Speaking shortly after declaring the training programme open, the wife of governor said the skill acquisition which would be done in batches starting nextweek, will train and empower over 5000 young women in various fields and as well showcase their talents to the world.
“Starting next week, we will be training you in batches based on your chosen field. We will not only stop at training you but we will empower you to start life afterwards,” said Emmanuel.
She said the female youth occupy an integral part of the society thus, should not give room to be stereotyped as sex slaves or good-for-nothing gender, but should always endeavor to acquire skills that would position them to compete favorably in the society.
Dr. Emmanuel added that the training which will focus on sought-after skills such as fashion design, bead making, Agro-production, ICT, Interior design etc. would afford the young women opportunities to grow in life.
The FEYReP boss also noted that to secure a sustainable future through skill acquisition, it must be weaved round the digital economy which according to her relies greatly on critical thinking, innovation, financial and emotional intelligence and creativity.
“This “Get a Skill Initiative” is in line with our mission to promote skill-based tutoring and entrepreneurship for our future mothers who in turn will create jobs that will drive economic growth, innovation, improve social conditions and address social and environmental challenges in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda,” she remarked.
Speaking further, First lady Martha Emmanuel encouraged the young women to take advantage of the training and stated that , “It has always been the desire of the Governor and i to leave Akwa Ibom Youth better than we met them in 2015.”
Earlier, the National President of Akwa Ibom State Female Youth, Comrade Esther Nta, in her remarks appreciated the efforts of the governor’s wife at building capacity for the young females in the state, saying the “Get a Skill Initiative” was another milestone in history of youth development in the state.
There were top notch business lectures on “How to Grow Business” by Pharmacist Ime Obot, “Self Worth, Value and Branding” by Lady Mmanti Umoh and “Business and Entrepreneurial Development ” by Mrs. Itoro Akpama, who all delivered their papers to the delight of the listening audience.
There were also goodwill messages from the Hon. Commissioners for Women Affairs/ Social Welfare, Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Dr. Ini Adiakpan and Mr. Akan Okon respectively while Governor’s aides, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Foreign Direct Investments, Mr. Gabriel Ukpe, Senior Special Assistant on Youth Affairs, Mr. Anifiok Iwaudofia and Mr. Ime Uwah of the Marketing and Brand Management also registered their words of goodwill.