The Enugu State Government, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, has continued to demonstrate its commitment to poverty eradication and youth empowerment through strategic initiatives aimed at equipping residents with practical skills for self-sufficiency. The latest of such efforts was the successful conclusion of the “Tomorrow Is Here Initiatives” short-term vocational and entrepreneurship training held for residents of Udenu Local Government Area from December 10th to 14th, 2024.
The five-day program, hosted at the Multipurpose Hall of the Udenu Local Government Secretariat in Obollo Afor, was implemented in partnership with The Porters Wheel Foundation. The Udenu Local Government Council, under the leadership of its Chairman — Aka Eze Aka, facilitated the selection of beneficiaries from the ten political wards of the Area.
Participants expressed their profound gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah and his administration for prioritizing human capital development and creating opportunities for the people of Udenu to attain economic independence.
The training program covered a broad spectrum of skills designed to promote entrepreneurship and enhance economic productivity. Beneficiaries received hands-on training in the following areas:
Food Production:
— Cake making
— Chin-Chin production
— Peanut butter pie preparation
Cosmetics and Household Products:
— Laundry soap and powdered detergent production
— Air freshener and liquid soap making
— Hair cream, disinfectant, body perfume, and body gel formulation
— Natural Beverages:
— Soya milk preparation
— Zobo drink production
Digital and Business Skills:
— Social media marketing
— Entrepreneurship skills
— Product packaging and marketing
— Bookkeeping techniques
These areas were carefully chosen to align with market demands and to equip participants with versatile skills capable of sustaining small-scale businesses.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, representatives of The Porters House Foundation commended the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants. They highlighted the importance of skill acquisition in driving economic growth and reducing unemployment, particularly among youths and women.
In his remarks, the chairman of Udenu Local Government Council, Aka Eze Aka emphasized the administration’s focus on grassroots development. He urged the participants to maximize the knowledge gained during the program to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the local economy.
Several beneficiaries shared their excitement and optimism about the future, citing the practical knowledge and tools they acquired during the training (see attached video). A participant, Miss. Ngozi Agbo, who learned cosmetics production, described the program as “life-changing,” expressing her gratitude to the state government for the rare opportunity.
Another participant, Mr. Chukwuemeka Odoh, who was trained in digital marketing, noted that the skills he acquired would enable him to expand his small business and attract more customers through online platforms.
Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to eradicating poverty and unemployment through strategic initiatives under the “Tomorrow Is Here” mantra. The government’s approach focuses on equipping individuals with skills and creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship to thrive.
This training program which came under the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sport — Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, is one of many under the initiative, designed to ensure sustainable development and economic growth across all Local Government Areas in Enugu State.
Hon. Ekweremadu is expected in Udenu tomorrow for the Grand finale of the training, the smiles on the faces of participants indicates the success of this impactful initiative. Enugu State remains a beacon of hope and development under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership, as the government continues to empower its citizens for a brighter future.
© AkaEzeAka Media Team reporting from Obollo Afor.
