The Cross River State Government has charged 192 beneficiaries of an empowerment programme to turn the skills acquired during their training into sustainable businesses, job opportunities and improved livelihoods.
The call was made at the grand finale of the empowerment programme organised by Jenellas Signature Decorations and Events in partnership with the Office of the Wife of the Governor at the Women Development Centre, Parliamentary, Calabar.
Representing the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita, described the completion of the training as the beginning of a new chapter of opportunity, self-reliance and economic empowerment for the beneficiaries.
“Today is not merely the end of a training programme. It is the beginning of a new chapter of opportunity, self-reliance and economic empowerment for our beneficiaries,” Ene-Ita said.
She commended Jenellas Signature Decorations and Events for its commitment to sustainable development, noting that the initiative had helped translate skills acquisition into opportunities for income generation, employment and enterprise.
Ene-Ita said many young people, women and other members of society possessed enormous potential but often lacked the opportunity, mentorship and guidance required to turn their abilities into productive ventures, describing the programme as a bridge between talent and opportunity.
“If you have a plan, let your creativity become a business. If you have acquired a skill, use it to build an enterprise. If you have learned a craft, put it to work in ways that can contribute beyond your immediate community,” she said.
The Commissioner encouraged the beneficiaries not to underestimate the value of starting small, noting that many successful businesses began with one person, one skill, one idea and one courageous decision.
She also called on the organisers, trainers and partners to sustain their relationship with the beneficiaries beyond the graduation ceremony through mentorship, business guidance and access to markets.
“Our vision should not be to create a society that continues to depend on assistance. Our vision must be to create a vibrant and empowered society where individuals can eventually become employers, mentors and sources of support to others,” Ene-Ita said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Julius Okputu, commended the organisers and trainers for promoting expertise, professionalism and a culture of excellence, stressing the need for sustained investment in human capacity to strengthen communities and promote development.
The Chief Executive Officer of Jenellas Signature Decorations and Events, Mrs Esther Ekpenyong Akiba, described the graduation as a significant milestone for the 192 beneficiaries, saying the programme was designed to equip participants with practical skills to establish businesses, secure employment and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
Akiba disclosed that an exhibition held at Premier Square the previous year, where some beneficiaries showcased their products and received support, inspired the development of the structured creative empowerment programme. She added that some participants would be selected based on their assessment and performance results for additional encouragement.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Idaka Happiness and Tom Ebere described the training as rewarding and impactful, saying it had provided them with valuable knowledge and practical skills they could apply in their families, churches and communities.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Cross River State Government, sponsors, organisers and partners for providing the opportunity, saying the initiative had boosted their confidence and opened new possibilities for their future.
By Daniel Bebia
