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

The Aba Sports Club 1926 came alive with colour and celebration 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, business starter packs, and cash grants.

The event, the Skill Up Abia Women Graduation and Empowerment Ceremony, celebrated the first cohort of beneficiaries aged 15 to 35, who successfully completed three months of intensive training in catering, pastry-making, food production, and event decoration. The curriculum also included business management, psychosocial support, and entrepreneurial development.

Conceived and personally championed by Mrs. Otti, the Skill Up Abia Women programme targets vulnerable and underserved women, providing them with high-demand, income-generating skills aimed at breaking cycles of poverty, fostering economic independence, and restoring dignity.

In her keynote address, the First Lady described skills acquisition as “a gateway to dignity, financial independence, and protection from vulnerability,” urging the graduates to see themselves as innovators and community leaders.

“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 participant received a complete 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 announced continued mentorship, access to business advisory services, and inclusion in the Safe Tent Care empowerment network.

Highlighting the programme’s transformative impact, she recounted the journey of a graduate who, as a survivor of gender-based violence, rebuilt her life through the training. “With the right support, skills, and mindset, nothing is impossible,” she affirmed.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Ananaba Favour and Miss Agu Chioma expressed heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady for her “motherly love” and belief in their potential, noting that she had empowered them without even knowing them personally.

In her welcome remarks, Hon. Vivian Obilor, Director of Vivdak Catering and Events Institute and Deputy Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South LGA, praised Mrs. Otti’s swift approval of the programme proposal submitted in October 2024. She revealed that the 54 beneficiaries were selected 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, described the Safe Tent Care Initiative as a non-profit dedicated to providing safe, supportive spaces for women, girls, and children to gain the skills and resources they need to thrive.

Goodwill messages were delivered by 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.

The ceremony drew a distinguished audience, including 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 prominent business leaders such as Chief Jerry O. Kalu, Ikemba Aliche Oti, and Prince Aham Ikonne.

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