By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in partnership with Star Ultra Deep Petroleum, has trained 102 women entrepreneurs in Anambra state.
The graduation ceremony and start-up equipment and materials were handed over to the beneficiaries in Awka, the state capital.
The beneficiaries were trained on leather sandals making, textile/fashion, belt, art works, African fabrics, confectioneries among other skill.
Managing Director, Development Support Initiative (DSI), Mrs Jacqueline Odiali, in her speech said the class which was originally designed for 50 persons had to be expanded to accommodate over 100 people because of the number of applications.
Odiali said the aim of the programme was to impact the skills for economic and financial freedom in the beneficiaries so that they could job creators.
She commended the management of the polytechnic for providing logistics and relevant manpower for the two weeks training exercise.
In her remarks, wife of the Anambra state governor, Mrs Ebere Obiano, thanked the organisers for their concern about the economic wellbeing of women.
Obiano, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Victoria Chikwuelu, tasked them on dignity of labour and eschew unwholesome ventures.
She promised that the state government would continue to support investment in the state through providing security and enabling environment in the state.
Responding, one of the beneficiaries, Miss Ifeoma Edochie, said she was glad for the opportunity given to her as she would apply what she learnt to make livelihood.
Edochie said she stopped her education for lack of funds, but if empowered with necessary finances, she would start up immediately and go back for her Higher Diploma programme.
Also appreciating the gesture, Nwakamma Onyeka pleaded that the programme should be meant to reach teeming female youths in the state that did not benefit in the first batch.