True to her style and character of love for humanity and the downtrodden at all times, the immediate-past Akwa Ibom First Lady Dr (Mrs) Martha Udom Emmanuel has presented starter packs to 150 youths who have graduated from her empowerment programme, urging students to embrace entrepreneurship and develop valuable skills to enhance financial independence and academic perseverance.
The event, held on 19th of June at the Feyrep hall Ewet Housing Estate, 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), Dr (Mrs) Emmanuel.
Mrs 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, Mr Udom Emmanuel, whom she said is her strongest support; the coordinator of FEYReP, Dr Idorenyin Ekanem, and other staff for the great job and congratulated the graduands for their willingness to learn the various skills and coming out successful.
Dr Martha Emmanuel who intimated that FEYReP is no more a pet project 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 round 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, Dr (Mrs) Idorenyin Ekanem, welcomed all to the occasion and disclosed that the NGO is committed to transforming the lives of the downtrodden.
She urged the beneficiaries to take the empowerment programme serious as their benefactor, Dr Emmanuel, has kept her promise.
In a keynote address, Mr 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 encouraged the beneficiaries to leverage their new skills as a spring board to success and to make meaningful impact in their communities.
Beneficiaries of the programme, representing various sectors, including Catering, Cosmetology, Shoemaking, and students from esteemed institutions like University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, College of Education and 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.
