Maureen Okpe
In a bid to promote sustainability and self-reliance among the Nigerian teeming youth, Transcorp Hilton Abuja has empowered a group of underprivileged young women through skill acquisition Business Empowerment Programme for Women.
The skill acquisition programme carried out with its partner, ACE Charity, a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), is set at equipping participants with vocational skills in tailoring and fashion designing as part of its Travel with Purpose goal to double her social impact by 2030.
General Manager Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Jorg Potreck emphasized the organization’s commitment to transforming the narrative of unemployment, highlighting the provision of tools needed for the young women to achieve financial independence.
Potreck said, “the entrepreneur skills will go a long way for the young women.This is not just some charity that the actions is buffed into the air, this is really going to the base, teaching people the skills. Supporting them not just in acquiring the skills but also teaching them some marketing essence, how to manage the business afterwards.
“They need to learn all these stuffs as entrepreneurs starting their own businesses. This is a wonderful tool, the donations of the sewing machines too. This is a very beautiful initiative for women, especially for an environment where there is high unemployment.
“Being a patriarchal society, for women to make a difference they need to work harder than their male counterpart and this is a wonderful way to show that young people can do something for themselves.”
Responding to questions from our correspondent, the GM said, “on future engagement, it could be discussed to see how it could be jerked up to create more opportunities.
“We can put more into the programe and see what we can do to set them up to support them even after graduation.
“Maybe we make it a one year programme; half a year training and then six month we support them in the business process.”
For her part, the E-commerce Manager Ijeoma Osuji, charged the beneficiaries, Salome, Martha, Mary and Itunu to make concerted efforts in growing thier brands.
Giving a rundown on the whole process Ms.Osuji tasked the trainees not to relent in making a name for themselves adding, “the ball is in your court, how far you want to take your business depends on you.
“Don’t give up, be determined, push. Being the new girl on the block, it’s evident many do not know you yet; but wear your brand as a way of advertising what you do and drive your business forward.
“We believe that you are going to go out there and make us proud. We know we are going to see more designs from you and get to hear you share your experiences with the new beneficiaries when we call on you.”
She restated the organization’s commitment to always be there for them, whenever the need arises.
One of the past beneficiary Hauwa, while expressing her struggle in the field revealed some clients do not meet to the terms of the contract, and payment, however advised the girls to remain steadfast in the struggle.