C/River First Lady Advises 192 Skill Acquisition Trainees On Entrepreneurship

Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has charged 192 trainees of the statewide skills acquisition programme to channel their skills into entrepreneurship for self-reliance.

The first lady gave the charge in Calabar at the grand finale of the training implemented by Jenellas Signature Decoration and Event in partnership with her Empowerment Initiative, themed “Empowering Lives Through Skills, Creativity and Enterprise.”

She said the programme was designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity among youths, women and other vulnerable groups across the state.

“Today is not merely the end of a training programme. It is the beginning of a new chapter of opportunity and self-reliance,” she said.

Bishop Otu urged the graduands not to see their certificates as an end in itself.

“Your certificate or skill is not the destination. It is a tool. If you have learned decoration, let your creativity become a business.

If you have acquired entrepreneurial skills, use them to build an enterprise,” she said.

She further cautioned against dependence on assistance, encouraging them to embrace discipline, integrity and financial responsibility. “Do not underestimate the power of small beginnings.

Many successful businesses began with one person, one skill, one idea and one courageous decision to start,” she noted.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Jenellas Signature Decoration and Event, Esther Akiba, said the graduation was a significant milestone of commitment and perseverance.

“Each of our 192 graduands has demonstrated that with opportunity, dedication and the right support, individuals can acquire valuable skills, build confidence and take meaningful steps towards economic independence,” she said.