In a bid to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of Mbo EMOIMEE Empowerment Beneficiaries, the Board and Management Team of the Host Community Development Trust has floated a business capacity building workshop.
The workshop which held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Enwang Town Hall, focused on critical areas essential for business success.
Sir Asuquo Edet Inuikim, Mbo EMOIMEE Board Member, who declared the workshop open, emphasised its significance in equipping prospective beneficiaries with effective business and funds management skills.
Engr Inuikim highlighted EMOIMEE’s impressive track record, citing initiatives like the Annual Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme, Free Medical Workshop and the empowerment Scheme, which he said would soon be paid to about 850 beneficiaries.
He also announced upcoming projects aimed at fostering development, asking participants to open their minds and learn in order to update their skills.
He said, “Empowerment is not just about receiving funds; it’s about building capacity, fostering collaboration, and creating a supportive ecosystem for business growth.”
In his Welcome Address earlier at the event, the Advisory Committee Member, Sir Ita Ntekim KJW, lauded the people for their peaceful conduct, saying the target of Mbo EMOIMEE Team was to ensure even spread of projects to touch every family in the local government area.
In their goodwill messages, the Enwang and Uda National Youth Presidents, Comrade Victor Ntuen and Elder Daniel Udombo; the Ebughu Women Leader, Mrs Mary Ita Iniekung, as well as the royal fathers at the event, appreciated the EMOIMEE Team for their commitment to the development of the area.
The CEO of BASUJO Nigeria Limited, Mr John Bassey, who was the Consultant at the Workshop, emphasized, the need for competent management of funds, if businesses must survive.
Bassey stressed the importance of financial and business management principles, stating that, “Effective financial management is the backbone of any successful business. Beneficiaries must prioritize budgeting, saving, and investing to maximize the impact of the EMOIMEE HCDT Empowerment Funds.
“Rural business development faces unique challenges, but with the right strategies and cooperative societies, entrepreneurs can overcome these obstacles and thrive.”
He also highlighted the role of cooperative societies in shaping business efficiencies and successes, noting, “Collaboration and mutual support are key to achieving economic empowerment. Beneficiaries must work together to share knowledge, resources, and expertise.”
-John Bassey took time to expound different areas of business concerns including: “Anticipated Impact of EMOIMEE HCDT Empowerment Funds; Challenges in Rural Business Development; Financial and Business Management Principles; Economic Empowerment Concepts and Targets; Role of Cooperative Societies in Business Efficiencies; and Supportive Policies for Cooperative Development”.
Reacting to the training, a participant and youth leader in Unyinge, Comrade Kanny Nkwobia, testified of the gains he acquired from the training.
He said, “This workshop has opened my eyes to the importance of proper financial management and cooperation. I’m committed to applying these principles to grow my business”.
The Mbo Management Committee Member, Engr Edet Okon, closed the event through the presentation of Certificates of Participation to attendees, as well as the presentation of Corportaive Certificates to Heads of 10 Corportaive Societies registered for Male and Female business proprietors in the five communities.
This is critical to the entire idea of empowerment, which must be creative and generative. I hope the beneficiaries take this seriously and make the best use of the funds they would be given. Kudos to the benefactors and facilitators of the programme.