By: Egbe Iloke
Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Development in partnership with Interweaves Solutions, a United States of America firm operating in Cross River has presented Master of Business in the Street Certificates to graduates trained in Livelihood Support schemes.
The event was held at the Calabar Municipal Council Hall, Calabar to certify graduates to qualify them for empowerment in any businesses of their choices.
Presenting the certificates to the beneficiaries, the Commissioner, Ministry of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Development, Hon. Kingsley N. Egume assured them of the State Government's readiness to transform the livelihood of Cross Riverians through various empowerment projects.
The Commissioner charged beneficiaries to have faith in the people's first mantra of Governor Otu which according to him aimed to make Cross Riverians more valuable to themselves through training and empowerment.
According to the Commissioner, the programme aimed to move people from multidimensional poverty to prosperity through neighborhood self reliance groups commonly known as cooperative society, stating that self reliance groups helps to transform the way the world fight poverty, adding that, through such group millions of Cross Riverians will achieve higher income, better homes and Improve communities.
Prelude to the certificate presentation, participants were put in classroom setting with a detailed curriculum handled by certified and recognized facilitators for days while assessments and exams were administered. Participants were also guided on how to write their business plans in the field of their choices.
In an interview with some beneficiaries they alluded that the training has broaden their knowledge on how to write business plans. Start and manage their businesses successfully as they can now listen to their customers, collect and act on customer's opinions, follow up with customers to build mutual relationships.
Be honest and empathetic in customers interactions, maintain good reputations to enable them attract and retain customers. Secure funding and surround themselves with the right people while also developing a marketing plan with proper and timely record keeping culture.
Participants thanked the Governor His Excellency and the Commissioner of the Ministry, Hon. Kingsley Egume and Management of the Ministry for the opportunity accorded them to benefit from the training and promised not to disappoint the Government, adding that they were waiting for the financial components to enable them practice what they were taught.
Participants were drawn from the 7 Local Government Areas of the Southern Senatorial District of the State which comprises Akpabuyo, Akamkpa, Bakassi, Biase, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South and Odukpani LGA respectively. While each Local Government had 15 persons drawn from each ward brought to each Council headquarters and trained before the grand presentation of certificates centrally at the Calabar Municipal Council Hall to1,050 beneficiaries of the Programme.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion were the Cross River State Director, Interweaves Solutions USA, Ambassador Chris Albert Okoi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Chris Anake, Directors and heads of Departments from the Ministry, invited guests, families of the beneficiaries and the general public.
