INTELS Nigeria Limited has empowered a fresh batch of 81 women through its popular Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) in the Niger Delta region.
The women, who were trained in tailoring and fashion design, were drawn from INTELS’ host communities in Onne, Ogu and other parts of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.
WEPSS was established by INTELS in 2013 to empower 5,000 community women over 20 years through training in fashion design and tailoring.
The beneficiaries, who are trained in two batches every year, have hit a total of 1,800 since the training began. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 2023 Batch A training programme at the Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne, Rivers State, the Managing Director, INTELS Nigeria Limited, Pasquale Fiore, said the scheme is part of the company’s vision to support and empower women in the country.
He said INTELS is committed to empowering women in host communities to enhance their socio-economic status to enable them to generate sustainable income to support themselves and their families.
Fiore expressed delight that WEPSS, which is in its 10th year, has made a positive impact on the lives of women in the host communities.
He said INTELS has taken the WEPSS training a step higher by providing starter kits for the top graduating beneficiaries and also setting up a business for the best-graduating student.
The Project Manager of WEPSS, Nancy Freeborn, commended the management of INTELS for its commitment to the empowerment of women, promotion of Nigerian content and support for local communities.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to put their skills to adequate use and build successful careers and businesses that will generate employment opportunities for others.
The high point of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of starter kits, which include, an industrial sewing machine and a steam iron among other items, to 15 other top graduating students, as well as N2 million prize to the best graduating student of the 2023 Batch A.
The WEPSS 2022 Batch ‘B’ Best Graduating Student, Esther Wehere, was also presented with the keys to a fully furnished and equipped shop at the Rumuokwurusi area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to enable her to commence her fashion design business.
The graduation ceremony was witnessed by senior management staff of INTELS and representatives of ExxonMobil, as well as Baker Hughes.
