As the crowning jewel of her 60th birthday celebration, former Vice President and Treasurer at the World Bank, Arunma Oteh, warmly welcomed the Fashionistas Cohort 7 to a special gathering at the Africa Projects Development Centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
 
The momentous occasion, which also witnessed the launch of the nutripreneur pilot scheme, brought together a record-breaking 60 fashion enthusiasts, all women, who converged to share knowledge, ideas, and inspiration. The event doubled as a celebration of Oteh’s remarkable life milestone and her commitment to empowering women through education and skills building.
 
Joining Oteh, who is also a former Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), were close friends and associates, including former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun; Group Chief Executive Officer of FUNAB, Alhaji Mohammed Ajia; Managing Partner of DPH Investments, Dr. Onuoha Nnachi; General Manager, Abuja and North Operations of The Guardian, Chuks Nwanne; former staff of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Chief Emmanuel Nwafor, among others. 
 
The 60-member all-female cohort is set to embark on a transformative 14-week journey, where they would acquire skills in hair braiding, makeup, and fashion design. The curriculum will also cover vital business skills such as digital literacy, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, empowering them to combat unemployment and establish sustainable livelihoods.
 
Through this initiative, Oteh is demonstrating her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, creativity, and economic empowerment among women. By providing a platform for these talented individuals to learn, grow, and connect, the distinguished economist is inspiring a new generation of fashion professionals and contributing to the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria, aligning with her broader advocacy for education, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment.
 
During the event, guests were given a comprehensive tour of APDC’s incubation hub facilities, showcasing its current features and future developments. Oteh also unveiled the proposed site of the Chief Arunma Oteh Students’ Hostel. The tour provided insight into the centre’s forward-thinking approach, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes academic excellence and personal development.
 
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of APDC Group, Dr. Chiji Ojukwu, said since the inception of the centre in 2018, it has trained over 7,000 individuals.
 
Ojukwu underscored the programme’s far-reaching influence, emphasising that it is designed to equip participants with a broad spectrum of skills. These skills, he said, encompass creative arts, digital literacy, financial management, marketing, and entrepreneurship, providing a solid foundation for participants to excel in their chosen fields.
 
According to the former AfDB staff, the acquisition of these skills will have a transformative effect on the participants, empowering them to break free from the constraints of unemployment and establish thriving, self-sustaining careers.He said by doing so, they would not only improve their own socio-economic prospects but also contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of their communities. 
 
Ojukwu said the programme seeks to foster a new generation of innovative, entrepreneurial, and financially literate individuals who are equipped to drive positive change and prosperity in Nigeria. 
 
“These programmes are tailored for women like you to acquire skills in fashion design, makeup artistry, hairdressing, and culinary arts. They will empower you to become sustainable entrepreneurs and conquer the global fashion and food industries,” Ojukwu said.  
 
He lauded Oteh for her generosity in sponsoring the Special Birthday Cohort, a gesture that demonstrates her remarkable commitment to empowering young women and promoting socio-economic development. 
 
He also stated that by supporting this initiative, Oteh was providing a valuable opportunity for these women to acquire skills, network, build confidence, and unlock their full potential, ultimately contributing to a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
 
Three accomplished alumni from previous cohorts shared their inspiring stories of transformation and success at the event.  Sharing their experiences, the alumni – Gloria Ojone (Cohort 5), Mariam Hassan (Cohort 6) and Juliana Adesina (Cohort 6) – disclosed that they are self-employed, adding that they already have employees in their outfits, thanks to the training they received from the centre. They said the programme equipped them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to achieve their goals.
 
Delivering her address, Oteh emphasised the profound impact that individual initiative and dedication can have on society. She lauded Ojukwu’s unwavering commitment to driving positive change, highlighting the impressive achievements of the centre and its extensive network of over 7,000 alumni. 
 
She shared her personal philosophy, stressing the importance of character, compassion, competence and courage.  Oteh, therefore, urged members of the new cohort to embody these principles as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey, stressing that these values are essential for achieving success and creating lasting impact.
 
With infectious passion, the celebrant affirmed Nigeria’s vast potential, highlighting the inherent greatness of its people and their capacity for extraordinary achievements.
  She pledged her mentorship and support, encouraging the trainees to “pay it forward” and foster a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond their individual endeavours. 
 
Her words: “I would never have imagined what I have seen today. Dr. Chiji always shares stories of the centre’s impact and support from former colleagues at the AfDB, and I felt I should also support it. But I did not imagine that one could come to a centre where they could learn how to grow high-value crops, mushrooms, poultry, fish farming, make amazing clothes, makeup, beautiful hair, and lots more. It shows you the power of one person who is hardworking, passionate, and wants to make a difference in what they do.
 
“Can you imagine how our country would be if there were two million individuals out of the over 200 million people who were like him? Without the amazing students, this centre would not have flourished. We wouldn’t come if there hadn’t been much success.
 
“I have listened to the three alumni who came and talked about their experiences, and I was blown away. Why? Because they were already running their own businesses. So, you come here for exploits, and they have also been paying it forward. They had trainees working for them. Can you imagine if each of the 7,000+ past trainees had trainees, and they, in turn, had trainees? We would transform this nation. We wouldn’t have to wait for the government, because that’s what this programme is showing.
 
“I really want to say you couldn’t have chosen a better name for the 7th Cohort, which you so kindly honoured me by naming after me. I feel so honoured. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe if you have to do anything, you have to do it well.” 
 
In their separate goodwill messages, APDC Head of Knowledge Management and Information Communication Technology (ICT), Patrick Tawo; Chief Emmanuel Nwafor; Group Chief Executive Officer of FUNAB, Alhaji Mohammed Ajia; Managing Partner of DPH Investments, Dr. Onuoha Nnachi, commended the centre’s innovative approach to empowering young Africans, noting that it has the potential to drive sustainable development, foster entrepreneurship, and unlock the continent’s vast potential. 
 
They urged the cohort to approach the programme with dedication and seriousness, even as they also extended a call to action to well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to provide additional support to further amplify the programme’s impact and empower more young Africans to reach their full potential. 
 
Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Abolorin Faith, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the centre and Oteh, promising that they would make the most of the opportunity and not disappoint the trust placed in them.