By Amaka Okafor
Ninety-five young men and women from the South-East have graduated from the Skill-Up South East Programme, an initiative of the Federal Government aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, vocational skills and economic empowerment across the region.
Speaking during the graduation and empowerment ceremony held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki the state capital, on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East), Mrs. Chioma Nweze, described the programme as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She said the beneficiaries, drawn from the 95 local government areas of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, underwent intensive vocational training in tailoring, fashion design and other entrepreneurial skills designed to make them self-reliant.
According to her, the trainees entered the programme with little or no technical knowledge but are now equipped with practical skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurial training needed to establish successful businesses.
Nweze announced that each graduating fashion designer received a brand-new sewing machine and startup funds to enable them commence business operations immediately, stressing that skill acquisition without access to tools and capital would undermine the objective of empowerment.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader development strategy for the South-East, citing ongoing investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and industrial development. She highlighted projects including road reconstruction across the region, the establishment of the South East Development Commission and the expansion of student loan opportunities under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
The presidential aide said her office has complemented federal policies through direct community interventions, including a free medical outreach launched in March 2025, which provided cancer screening, eye care services and dialysis support to thousands of residents in the region.
She commended the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for supporting healthcare initiatives, ICT development, solar-powered water projects and soft loans for small businesses, describing his contributions as impactful and community-oriented.
Nweze further disclosed that the Skill-Up South East Programme has expanded beyond tailoring to include ICT, photography, catering, hairdressing and make-up artistry, with participants receiving both vocational and business management training.
She urged the graduates to make productive use of the equipment and financial support provided, emphasizing that discipline, hard work and quality service delivery would determine their success. She added that the programme would be expanded in the coming years to reach more youths and communities across the South-East.
The presidential aide also praised the performance of the Federal Ministry of Works under Senator Umahi, citing major road projects and infrastructure delivery across the country. She described him as the “Minister of the Year,” noting that his commitment to completing critical projects has earned widespread recognition across the six geopolitical zones.
