Twenty Enugu entrepreneurs have received equipment grants worth six million naira (#6,000,000) after the phase 6 of the MTN ICT and Business Skills Training.
The MTN ICT and Business Skills Training is a Youth Development initiative aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years with tech enabled skills to keep their small businesses relevant and competitive.
The ICT and Business Skills Training was implemented in partnership with Microsoft and Meta. Microsoft trained the participants on “Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age, ICT for Business Success” and their new Generative Al skills, while Meta trained participants on “Skills to Build Brands and Grow Businesses Online.
Enugu SME was instrumental in the selection, vetting and facilitation of the training of 200 participants of the training in the State.
The 20 beneficiaries of the equipment grant were among the top 300 from across the country and each received N300,000 in Equipment Grants, totaling N6,000,000.
One of the beneficiaries, Eje Ngozi Adaora of Zijag Hub- an Educational Supplies business that sell educational resources such as books; educational games and toys etc. She said the training exposed her to new things as they were thought graphic designs and how to do social media marketing on Meta for marketing.
While thanking Enugu State Government and MTN for the opportunity and training, Eje further stated that the grant will help her acquire the equipment needed to take her business to the next level.
Another beneficiary, Nnaemeka Osita Nwodo of Nosin Global Resources/Retail said the training was awesome and great as the trainers have in-depth knowledge and the skills learnt has helped his business.
“I no longer pay for my graphic designs and i do customer appreciation fliers too which gives them sense of belonging. i feel so excited to be one of the beneficiaries of the grant and the next plan for me is to do aggressive marketing which i have already started designing the fliers for.”
He also said he will give back to the society where necessary through stepdown trainings.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for the trainees, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development, and Head of Enugu SME Center, Hon. Arinze Chilo-Offiah thanked MTN for sponsoring the training and also expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah for his commitment to empowering the youths.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the MTN Foundation, Microsoft, and Meta for their invaluable support and for providing this incredible opportunity to the youth of Enugu.
“Our deepest gratitude also goes to the Enugu State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah, for their steadfast commitment to the development and empowerment of young people.”
