Etisalat Empowers 100 Entrepreneurs with Life Skills, Equipment

Etisalat in partnership with O.A. Bella Resources, has empowered 100 individuals with basic life skills aimed at helping them maximise their potentials through the establishment of start-up businesses.

The beneficiaries were pulled from six communities in four states in the South-East and South-South regions.

These include Oromeruezimgbu , Rumuokuta and Awalama Communities in Rivers State, Yenizuegene Community in Bayelsa State,Usogun community in Auchi, Edo State and Uburu community in Ebonyi state.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates of participation and starter packs to the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Dikko, vice president, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, said the Community Skills Set Programme is tailored towards creating entrepreneurs and setting up community-based enterprises in the beneficiary states.

“Etisalat believes in building sustainable societies and giving back to our host communities which is what we are doing with the CSSP. We are complementing the vision of the respective states to empower the youths to become self-reliant and socially responsible indigenes through creating entrepreneurs and setting up community-based enterprises,” he said

Mr.Dikko who spoke through Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, head, Government and Community Relations, also reiterated the commitment of the telecom operator to delivering sustainable community support programmes that will complement public services and extend its benefits to the grassroots across the country.

Also speaking, Mr. Francis Wokoma whose company, E.O. Bella Resources, conducted the training, described the initiative as heart-lifting and a timely intervention that will guarantee a future for the beneficiaries particularly in the face of instability in the economy and rising unemployment rate across the nation.

“I feel grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of these individuals. The rate of unemployment in the country today is not encouraging, to say the least. This is why the youth should look inwards and consider doing something for themselves. The CSSP which Etisalat made possible is aimed at helping this crop of people in the local communities secure a future for themselves and live happy lives. I am hopeful for them because I can see the desire, passion and commitment to succeed in them.”

One of the beneficiaries, Amaka Amadi from Rumuokuta community in Rivers State also spoke about the impacts of the initiative on her, describing it as an eye-opener. 

“I believe in doing something with my hands and not carrying my certificates about looking for someone to employ me. Of course, you can see where our country is- there is no job anywhere. The training is an eye-opener. I do not know how others see opportunities, but when I am given one, I see a couple of others from same. I have been trained in soap and floor cleaner making, but it is making me to consider doing some research on soap and cream making. I have been given some useful tips which I want to build on, and I am really grateful for that.”

Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate is put at 38% according to a recent World Bank statistics. However, there are arguments that the figure realistically is 80% with secondary leavers mostly found among unemployed rural population accounting for about half of this figure while University and Polytechnic graduates make up the population.