Former Akwa Ibom First Lady, Martha Udom empowers 150 female entrepreneurs

The immediate-past Akwa Ibom First Lady, Martha Udom Emmanuel has presented starter packs to 150 female entrepreneurs who were beneficiaries of her empowerment training scheme.

She urged them to embrace entrepreneurship and develop valuable skills to enhance financial independence and academic perseverance.

The event which took place in Uyo brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared goal of overcoming adversity and achieving success through the Family Empowerment & Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYReP), the former First Lady’s pet project.

Emmanuel expressed her heartfelt gratitude to God for the grace that has sustained Feyrep’s laudable efforts, acknowledging the unwavering support of donors, attendees, and her husband, whose contributions have been instrumental in the NGO’s success.

She thanked her husband, Udom Emmanuel, whom she said is her strongest support; the coordinator of FEYReP, Idorenyin Ekanem, and other staff for a great job and congratulated the graduands for their willingness to learn the various skills and coming out successful.

Read also: How FEYReP is transforming lives in Akwa Ibom

Martha Emmanuel who intimated that FEYReP is no more a pet project but rather a registered non-governmental organization (NGO), said she was happy that her dream of taking the initiative beyond her husband’s regime as governor of the state has been fulfilled, adding that the NGO exists in other states such as Lagos.

She charged the beneficiaries to be focused and serious with their trades and studies so that they in turn may train and empower those coming after them, saying that FEYReP has a monitoring team that will always go around to monitor how they are progressing in the business.

“If they do not stand well if they are not stabilized, how will the future be? We need to train the people that will take over the baton when we step aside”.

Earlier, the coordinator, Idorenyin Ekanem, disclosed that the NGO was committed to transforming the lives of the downtrodden.

She urged the beneficiaries to take the empowerment programme seriously as their benefactor, Dr Emmanuel, has kept her promise.

In a keynote address, Aniekeme Finbarr, who spoke on the theme: “Exploring the Importance of Skills Acquisition in Personal and Professional Development, highlighted the critical role of skill acquisition in personal and professional growth, emphasising its potential to drive innovation, resilience and competitiveness in the labour market.

He further urged the beneficiaries to leverage their new skills as a springboard to success and to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Beneficiaries of the programme, representing various sectors, including Catering, Cosmetology, Shoemaking, and students from esteemed institutions like the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, College of Education and the University of Calabar were encouraged to harness their newfound skills and knowledge to effect positive change.

In separate testimonies, the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the opportunity and pledged to utilize their skills effectively.