On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Ibom Leadership & Entrepreneurial Development Centre (Ibom-LED) held the graduation ceremony for 60 youths who successfully completed a six-month intensive training in tailoring and shoemaking under the Startup Accelerator and Incubation Programme (SAIP). The programme was supported by the PIND Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) Project, which focuses on equipping young people across the Niger Delta with technical, vocational, and soft skills to help them secure decent jobs and build sustainable businesses.
In his opening remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development and General Manager of Ibom-LED, Mr. Ime Uwah, praised the initiative and emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering youths through entrepreneurship. “We are dedicated to ensuring that our young people have the skills and resources they need to succeed and create jobs for others,” he stated.
During the event, Mrs. Edidiong Eshiet delivered a lecture on “The Art of Pricing, Profits, and Value.” She advised the graduates to avoid underpricing their products and instead focus on adding value. She also highlighted the need for bulk production, cost management, and consistency to remain competitive while increasing profit.
Representing PIND, Mr. Hanson encouraged the participants to stay dedicated to their businesses. He said, “Consistency, innovation, and resilience are key to building sustainable enterprises that can thrive in today’s market.”
Another session was led by Mr. Sifon Ekpenyong, who spoke on “From Artisan to Entrepreneur: The Business of Bespoke.” He urged the graduates to move beyond routine craftsmanship and adopt structured business practices that will allow them to build systems, create jobs, and expand from small-scale production to bespoke recognition.
The graduation ceremony also featured a sewing and shoemaking competition where selected graduates produced an outfit and a shoe within one hour. Out of ten competitors, six went home with sewing and shoemaking machines. In addition, all ten competitors received ₦50,000 each in cash gifts, while other beneficiaries were given ₦20,000 each as transportation support.
Mr. Uwah thanked the PIND Foundation for sponsoring beneficiaries under the YEP Project, noting that it was the first to do so. He assured participants that more impactful programmes would follow and congratulated the graduates for embracing the ARISE Agenda, which focuses on skills development, job creation, and economic growth. A documentary showcasing the impact of the YEP Programme (Phase 1) was also presented during the event.
