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… Presents with start-up packs
Another set of women entrepreneurs in Ukanafun Local Government Area have graduated from the Dakkada Women Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Programme (DWEMP) with start-up packs presented to them to open their businesses.
Numbering 50, the graduating women who were trained in different entrepreneurial skills by the Directorate of Marketing and Brand Management, office of the governor, also presented with induction certificates Saturday 11, 2020, at the council hall of Ukanafun Local Government Area.
Recalled that early this year precisely in January, the directorate flagged of DWEMP, but the programme could not continue due to the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic and had to resume shortly with Ibeno taking the first port of call.
When the DWEMP train landed Ukanafun early this month, the women of the area grabbed the opportunity by participating in the free training in confectionery, Cosmetology, Soap making, Hair Styling, flour production and Tailoring, where they graduated in style and certificates as well as working tools presented to them.
Presenting the certificates and start-up packs to the graduating women, the initiator of DWEMP and Special Assistant to the governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mrs Lydia Udoh reiterated that the gesture was in line with Dakkada philosophy of the governor which is aimed at ensuring that women across the 31 local government Area of the state were self-employed/self-reliant.
Udoh said the directorate deemed it necessary to come back to continue the training programme in Ukanafun because of the zeal the women of the area exhibited and the interest they showed to complete the training.
She lauded them for their zeal which she described as exceptional and best attitude to possess. While appreciating the local government chairman for the opportunity given the directorate to organize the programme in the council, Udoh applauded the women for their willingness to partake in the training.
Dakkada philosophy, she said should be encouraged among the rural people to inspire them to be hardworking so as to become self-reliant and economically buoyant. She congratulated those who graduated from the free training and advised them to make good use of their skills by starting their own business.
While assuring them of making progress in their businesses, the SA to the governor urged the women to feel free to approach the directorate for any technical assistance, saying the resource persons will be on standby to attend to them whenever they call. She thanked the governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel and wife Martha for always having good plans for the women in the state.
Udoh used the occasion to campaign against rape and urged the women to always report any rape case to government for prompt action to be taken against the perpetrators. The wife of the chairman, Mrs Ijeoma Idiong expressed happiness for the gesture by the governor and thanked the initiator for choosing Ukanafun for the training. Idiong assured that the skills acquired by the women will be well utilized by them to support their families and also train others in their domain.
Representatives from the various departments spoke on behalf of their colleagues and shared testimonies of what they have gained from the free training, which they said has really exposed them to wider knowledge. They were excited to be among the beneficiaries of the programme and thanked the governor for the gesture saying it has gingered them to rise to the faith of greatness and become resourceful.
Those who spoke include, Mrs Ekaette Etukudo of Confectionery, Mrs Favour Alexandar of wig making and Mrs Udom Friday of make-up department among others. Certificates and Start-up packs were presented to the graduating women amidst loud ovation.
