Abia First Lady Empowers 54 Young Women With Skills, Start-Up Tools And Grants On International Youth Day

The Aba Sports Club 1926 hosted a colourful and inspiring ceremony as the Wife of the Governor of Abia State and President of the Safe Tent Care Initiative, Her Excellency Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, marked International Youth Day by empowering 54 young women with vocational skills, starter packs, and business grants.

The event, tagged the Skill Up Abia Women Graduation and Empowerment Ceremony, celebrated the first batch of beneficiaries aged 15 to 35, who completed a three-month intensive training in catering, pastry-making, food production, and event decoration. The programme also covered business management, psychosocial support, and entrepreneurship development.

Conceived and personally driven by Mrs. Otti, the Skill Up Abia Women programme targets vulnerable and underserved women, equipping them with marketable skills to break the cycle of poverty, achieve economic independence, and restore dignity.

In her keynote address, Mrs. Otti described skills acquisition as “a gateway to dignity, financial independence, and protection from vulnerability.” She urged the graduates to see themselves as innovators and leaders in their communities.

“You are no longer just learners. You are entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders. You now hold the power to shape your own destiny,” she told the graduates.

Each beneficiary received a full start-up kit, including an oven, gas burner, utensils, and essential ingredients, along with a ₦200,000 grant to launch or expand their businesses. Mrs. Otti also promised ongoing mentorship, access to business advisory services, and inclusion in the Safe Tent Care empowerment network.

She recounted the inspiring story of a participant who, after surviving gender-based violence, rebuilt her life through the training. “With the right support, skills, and mindset, nothing is impossible,” she said.

Speaking for the beneficiaries, Miss Ananaba Favour and Miss Agu Chioma thanked the First Lady for her “motherly love” and belief in their potential, noting that she empowered them without knowing them personally.

Hon. Vivian Obilor, Director of Vivdak Catering and Events Institute and Deputy Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, commended Mrs. Otti for swiftly approving the proposal in October 2024. She revealed that the 54 beneficiaries were chosen from over 500 applicants through a rigorous and transparent process.

“Your days of asking for ‘urgent 2k’ are over,” Obilor told the graduates. “You are now financially independent, skilled entrepreneurs ready to create your own success stories.”

Chief (Mrs.) Ifeoma Thomas, Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, explained that the Safe Tent Care Initiative is a non-profit focused on creating safe, supportive spaces for women, girls, and children to access the tools and resources they need to thrive.

The event featured goodwill messages from senior government officials, including Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Dr. (Mrs.) Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa, Commissioner for Women Affairs; and Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.

Notable guests included the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Mrs. Adaeze Chidera Emetu; Prince (Sir) Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information; wives of local government chairmen; traditional rulers; and business leaders such as Chief Jerry O. Kalu, Ikemba Aliche Oti, and Prince Aham Ikonne.

The Skill Up Abia Women programme supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) — and is part of the Safe Tent Care Initiative’s mission to expand empowerment, healthcare access, advocacy, and psychosocial support in Abia State.