Chief Success Akagburuonye has empowered over 200 Imolites with practical entrepreneurial skills as the first batch of beneficiaries of the Hoperising for Imolites Foundation Skills Acquisition Programme graduated at Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area.
Represented by Professor Nwajesus Onyekuru at the graduation ceremony, the National Leader of the Hoperising for Imolites Foundation said the initiative was designed to equip Imolites from different walks of life with practical skills that would promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Chief Akagburuonye urged the graduates to combine faith with hard work, stressing that while prayer is essential, success also requires diligence and commitment.
He commended the programme’s training partner, Pato Binto Entrepreneurial and Skills Acquisition Company, for the successful delivery of the training, expressing confidence that the two-week intensive programme had laid a solid foundation for the beneficiaries’ entrepreneurial journey.
He also disclosed that the Foundation had more impactful empowerment projects in the pipeline.
The graduation ceremony featured exhibitions of products made by participants trained in six vocational areas, namely catering and baking, paint production, household products manufacturing, spices production, event decoration, and makeup artistry.
The Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Professor Boniface Nwaogu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Austin Okeji, commended Chief Akagburuonye for partnering with the Imo State Government to advance youth empowerment.
He congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue improving their skills for sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Imo State Director of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Comfort Echebiri, and Mrs. Helen Okana of NAFDAC advised the beneficiaries to ensure that their products comply with established quality and safety standards.
The Chief Executive Officer of Pato Binto Entrepreneurial and Skills Acquisition Company, Mrs. Patience Mekwunye, alongside some beneficiaries, including Obinna Diala, Nancy Otti, and Collins Ihunze, expressed gratitude to Chief Akagburuonye for sponsoring the programme and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.
Among the dignitaries present were former member of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Eddy Obinna, who represented Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, and Mr. Herbert Njoku.
