The Esther Matthew Tonlagha (EMT) Foundation has awarded ₦41 million in grants to 41 graduates of its Skill Acquisition Programme, as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Delta State.
The beneficiaries, who completed Batch C of the programme in Effurun, Delta State, also received starter packs and business tools to help them begin independent ventures after months of intensive vocational training.
The trainees were equipped with practical skills in fashion design, culinary arts, baking, salon services, makeup and gele styling. The foundation said the programme was designed to provide participants, especially women and vulnerable individuals, with sustainable means of livelihood while addressing unemployment at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Effurun, founder of the EMT Foundation, Dr Esther Tonlagha, said the initiative goes beyond skill acquisition and focuses on helping participants achieve economic independence and long-term stability.
According to her, the programme was created to transform lives by giving people practical tools they can use to support themselves, their families and their communities.
“This is not just a celebration of completion, but a recognition of courage, growth and transformation,” she said.
Tonlagha announced that each of the 41 graduands would receive ₦1 million as takeoff capital to support their transition into business and independent practice.
She said the foundation believes that empowering individuals with relevant skills creates a wider positive effect across communities and contributes to sustainable development.
“At the heart of this initiative is the belief that people can change their lives when given the right opportunities and support,” she noted.
The EMT Foundation also provided the beneficiaries with equipment and working tools related to their areas of training, including makeup kits, hairdressing and grooming tools, baking equipment, generators and deep freezers.
Addressing the graduates, Tonlagha encouraged them to remain focused and committed as they begin their entrepreneurial journey.
“Go forth and dominate the business space; be creators of wealth, not seekers of survival,” she charged the beneficiaries.
She also stressed the need for collective participation in addressing economic challenges and youth unemployment across the country.
“Government cannot do it alone. We must all contribute to building a better future by empowering our people,” she added.
Tonlagha further explained that the real impact of the programme would not only be measured by the completion of training but by how beneficiaries apply the skills acquired to build sustainable businesses and support others around them.
She thanked partners and supporters of the foundation for their continued collaboration, saying their contributions have helped expand the reach of the empowerment initiative across the Niger Delta region.
“Your trust and collaboration continue to drive this mission forward. You are not just supporting a programme, you are shaping lives and creating lasting impact,” she said.
The foundation also acknowledged the contributions of Mr Matthew Tonlagha, Chairman of Maton Engineering Nigeria Ltd, whose support has reportedly played a major role in strengthening the foundation’s empowerment programmes over the years.
Observers say initiatives like the EMT Foundation’s Skill Acquisition Programme are becoming increasingly important in addressing unemployment and social vulnerability, particularly among women and young people in local communities.
Over the years, the EMT Foundation has carried out several empowerment and support programmes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and improving livelihoods across the region.
The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continued mentorship and support for beneficiaries, noting that the graduation ceremony marks the beginning of a broader journey of empowerment, business growth and community impact for the participants.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
FOLLOW US & Share this with someone who needs to see this.
