As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme, INTELS Nigeria Limited, an oil and gas logistics giant, has graduated another set of 84 women under the Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy (WEPSS).
This was the second set of women to benefit from the programme this year as about 80 women graduated earlier in June.
A 29-year old Maltina Thompson, who emerged the best performing trainee, was provided with full start-up kit that includes an industrial sewing machine, steam iron, chair, scissors, box of tailors’ chalk and measuring tape.
At the graduation ceremony held at the Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne, Rivers State last week, Thompson expressed appreciation to the management of INTELS for impacting on women through the empowerment scheme.
She assured that the skills she acquired during the training would be put to good use.
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Mike Epelle, general manager, Legal and Corporate Services of INTELS Nigeria Limited, described the project as one that was very dear to the heart of both the Group Chairman and the management of INTELS.
While commending the beneficiaries for the successful completion of their training, he urged them to make good use of the skills they have acquired during the course of the training.
“The fashion industry in Nigeria is big. You can make a living and take care of your needs in life if you apply yourself to what you have learnt. All you need to do is to be dedicated to your work. You can start small and sustain what you are doing,” Epelle advised.
According to him, over 100 women were admitted but, only 84 graduated. “So, I must commend you because some people don’t have the resilient to go through what you have gone through. It is a good start to be able to see it through and acquire the skills.”
Nancy Freeborn, WEPSS project head, congratulated the beneficiaries for working hard to achieve their dreams.
She charged them to make INTELS proud by putting into use the skills they have acquired.
“When we go for follow-up exercise, it gives us joy to see people who are really putting into use, the skills they have acquired,” she said.
Freeborn said that in addition to tailoring, the beneficiaries were taught soft skills such as personal hygiene, business management, social ethics and responsibility.
Established in 2013, WEPSS was set up by INTELS to train Nigerian women in fashion designing and tailoring. Since inception six years ago, no fewer than 1,200 women drawn from various communities across the country have graduated from the programme.
