By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has opened a liaison office in Abaji Area Council to strengthen the entrepreneurship training and empowerment of rural dwellers.
This followed an intensive six months training put together by the Agency in collaboration with Abaji Area Council and AFS Fashion Hub.
The initiative helped the first batch of 30 entrepreneurs to graduate, which were empowered with brand new sowing machines, electric sowing machine motors among other materials in their starter packs.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Team Lead, Corporate Communications, Emmanuel Tortiv, quoted the Head of the Civil Service of FCT, Dr Samuel Atang as saying the success of the programme demonstrated the dedication of the FCT towards improving the living standards of residents by creating socio-economic opportunities aimed at fostering an inclusive society for everyone to succeed.
The statement said Atang lauded efforts of the AEA as a special purpose vehicle for critical interventions on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the hosting of the One Stop Shop which has greatly enhanced the ease of doing business in FCT.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Area Councils Services Secretariat, Dr Olusegun Olusa, congratulated the participants for the successful completion of the training programme and urged them to make judicious use of the starter packs provided.
He counseled the fashion entrepreneurs to desist from the age-long bad habit where the designers delivered jobs behind schedules, “If you don’t keep to time in your business, you will lose clients and that will not auger well for your much needed growth.” Stated the Permanent Secretary.
In his remarks , the Managing Director/CEO of AEA, Mr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said due to its lucrative nature, a major percentage of entrepreneurs in FCT are currently found among those in the fashion industry.
He said the idea of the Fashion Center started in 2022 with the aim of building the capacity of startups and existing fashion designers by developing their fashion and entrepreneurial skills through a programme that is tailored to enhance the quality of their production that can also position them for international opportunities.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, “each of the graduating participants today will receive a starter pack comprising a brand new sowing machine, electric sowing machine motor and other materials.
“The Participants will also receive as post training support packages, business development service, business mentorship, co-operative formation, business formulization and other entrepreneurial support services from AEA.”
He called on the graduating participants to see entrepreneurship as a means of livelihood and wealth creation even as hecharged them to be shining examples and stars for their peers who did not enjoy the opportunity of participating in the programme.
The MD also announced plans by the Agency to soon commence in earnest operations at the proposed Abuja Business School of Entrepreneurship.
He appreciated the visionary leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Minister of State Dr. Maryam Mahmoud as well as the Head of Service, Dr. U.S Atang for their support to the Agency in fulfillment of its mandate.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, also called on other Area Councils in FCT to emulate the example of Abaji in partnering with the Agency towards uplifting the lives of their residents at the grassroots through entrepreneurship.
