Eight (80) entrepreneurs from the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State who graduated from the DAKKADA Support Initiative Training Program on Friday, October 29, 2022, received business empowerment/start-up packs from Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
The presentation, done on the platform of Dakkada Support Initiative (DSI) at the Women Development Center, IBB Avenue, Uyo.
Speaking at the event, Governor Emmanuel, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Engr. Emmanuel Ekuwem said his administration will not relent on the development of small, micro, and medium-scale enterprises in the state.
He added that more businesses will be impacted directly and indirectly by the government as plans are on the ground to boost the state’s entrepreneurial capacity.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them not to despise their days of little beginnings.
In her speech, the Coordinator of the initiative and Special Assistant to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mrs. Lydia Udoh, said Dakkada support Initiative is a movement created to inspire self-belief and courage to legitimately utilize the existence of entrepreneurs across the state.
She said that the initiative interprets the philosophy of rising to the faith of greatness, human capital development, and the reawakening of the enterprising spirit of every Akwa Ibomite.
She noted that a stupendous proliferation of various trades, crafts and entrepreneurial concern has been the fruits of the Dakkada Support initiative.
A similar empowerment programme held in the 31 LGAs of the state has cumulated to 7000 entrepreneurs benefitting from the scheme in the last seven years.
She added that Dakkada Support Initiative has helped entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom to achieve economic sustainability and entrepreneurial development by equipping them with the necessary skills to ensure their participation in the economic development of their various communities.
“Dakkada Support Initiative is in line with the Dakkada philosophy of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration and a further confirmation of the Governor’s passion to develop small, Micro, and medium scale enterprise in the State, having paved a firm foundation and created a sustainable future for the state,” she added.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, Mrs. Udoh expressed optimism that the skills acquired by the graduation class would go a long way in unlocking their doors of financial independence and economic prosperity.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the State Manager of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Lucy Ekpenyong, Wife of the Chairman, Uyo Local Government Council, Mrs. Akaninyene Uwemedimo Udo, Mr. Godwin Harrison Essien, SA to Governor on Projects Monitoring, Dr. Mrs. Roberta Edem, Board Member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Service Commission, and SA to Governor on ICT, Aniekan James Ekah.
The high point of the event was a drama presentation by the beneficiaries and the presentation of start-up kits to beneficiaries who were trained in Make-up, paint production, catering/confectioneries, haircut, food processing, manicure/pedicure, wig making, and tailoring.
