Group Trains Enugu Women On Entrepreneurship 

No fewer than 2,075 women and youths from different parts of Enugu State, on Sunday, passed out from training in different entrepreneurial and vocational skills organised by the Potters Wheel Foundation (PWF).

In a speech at the graduation ceremony held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the President/Founder of the Enugu-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr Godsown Onuzulike, lauded the graduands for their hard work, dedication and passion.

Onuzulike said that of the 2,075 graduates, 75 women and youths, selected from 165 trainees, had completed their free vocational and entrepreneurship training.

He further said that 2000 persons from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, participated in the online training and were also graduating.

According to him, the trainees underwent rigorous evaluations, including practicals, written exams and one-on-one assessments, after their three weeks practical training on baking and confectionary and natural beverages.

Other areas, he said, were hygienic, Skincare products, craft, social media marketing as well as business managerial soft and digital skill.

Onuzulike also said that the foundation trained the beneficiaries, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He said, “In spite of the challenges in sourcing materials, funding and logistics, the organisation’s resolve to equip youths and women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills remains unwavering and unrelenting.”

He commended Gov. Peter Mbah for his support and providing the enabling environment for the foundation to thrive.

He, however, appealed for start-up grants for the graduands, a shared facility for NAFDAC approval and a bus for the foundation.

In a speech, Dep. Gov. Ifeanyi Ossai described the foundation’s initiative in the realm of education and economic empowerment as commendable.

Ossai, represented by the Secretary, Enugu State Boundary Committee, Dr Solomon Ejim, said that government alone could not solve the unemployment problem in the country.

According to him, it is through partnerships with committed non-profit and non-governmental organisations, like TPWF, that sustainable development and meaningful progress can be achieved.

He hailed the efforts of the foundation, saying: “Your dedication to creating opportunities, fostering education and providing support for the less privileged serves as a beacon of hope for many.

“The impact of your work resonates across our society, touching lives and transforming the future of many.

“By providing financial literacy training, entrepreneurial support and microfinance opportunities, you are helping individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said that the ministry was happy partnering with the foundation in training women.

Enih advised the participants to make use of what they learnt, saying that no knowledge is a waste.

“This training is to empower and lift you out of poverty, which is in line with Gov. Peter Mbah’s policy of eradicating poverty in the state.

“I want the foundation to include agriculture in the training for the next batch because it is a lucrative business,” she said.

A participant, Chioma Enyinnaya, commended Onuzulike, saying that she could fend for herself and family with what she learnt from the training.

“I learnt how to make black soap and when I displayed it online, I received order from abroad.

“The platform has given me an opportunity to do those things I didn’t know how to do before,” Enyinnaya said. (NAN)