The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has empowered 15 female graduate-trainees in shoe and bag making under its Small Scale Enterprises Department with equipment and N20,000 loan each.
In his speech at the graduation ceremony held at Amarata, Yenagoa, the NDE Director-General, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, charged the trainees to go out and change the fashion landscape with their newly acquired skills.
Fikpo, who was represented by Mr Aham Osuchukwu, the State Coordinator of NDE, admonished the beneficiaries to advertise their products by wearing and carrying them to create awareness.
He said that as new entrepreneurs they should not immediately look for shops to rent, but operate from their residence until they become financially stable and ready to branch out.
Miss Princess Dumoyem, a beneficiary of the empowerment, expressed gratitude to the NDE management for the training and empowerment component.
“As for me, I have started making money by producing shoes and bags for people, my colleagues here can attest to that.
“In my hand now are at least ten requests waiting to be satisfied, hence making the repayment of the loan easier.