Small and medium-scale female entrepreneurs in some communities of Akwa Ibom and Rivers are currently benefitting from an empowerment training as a way of boosting their economy and making them financially literate and independent.
The training, an initiative of the Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, SEEPCO, is being driven by the VCDF, the foundation that coordinates the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
The training, which was christened financial literacy programme, started last year for about 1,000 women drawn from the company’s host communities who were broken into various clusters for ease of coordination.
The beneficiaries were equipped with start-up funds, with which they were expected to start their micro businesses. While many of them put the funds to good use and could show proof of profits generated from the start-up capital, some of them chose to waste the funds.
Also read: SEEPCO, VCDF Equip Eastern Obolo women with Vocational Skills and Financial Literacy
This year, the company decided to invest more on those who had shown seriousness in their vocations. In partnership with the VCDF, SEEPCO organized a second leg of training for the first batch of 100 women who were also assisted with working tools, including equipment, consumables and basic business materials required to begin operations.
The latest training which started on May 22 and expected to last for about two weeks, introduced participants to essential business practices, including planning, budgeting, savings, pricing and customer relations. Sessions also covered financial record keeping, responsible spending and access to financial services.
Speaking during the ongoing programme, Chief Goodfellow Julius, Village Head of Iwofe community expressed appreciation to SEEPCO and VCDF for bringing impactful empowerment initiatives to the community.
He noted that the programme stood out because it goes beyond skills acquisition by equipping women with the knowledge, tools and confidence required to establish and sustain businesses.
According to him, the initiative will positively impact many families and strengthen livelihoods across the host communities.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated SEEPCO and VCDF for the opportunity, describing the programme as timely, practical and life changing.
Peace Emem, a beneficiary saw it as a major turning point, noting that the training and starter pack support had given her the confidence to start her own business and contribute more meaningfully to her family’s well-being.
