By Solomon Okpo
Uyo, In a country where white-collar jobs are becoming increasingly scarce, a young female graduate from Akwa Ibom State is making bold strides in the world of entrepreneurship—one step at a time.
Meet Idongesit Edet Inyang, a Food Technology graduate from the University of Uyo, who has swapped her lab coat for leather and thread, building a career in shoe making from scratch. In an exclusive interview with The Evangelist newspaper, she shares her remarkable journey, challenges, and aspirations.
Idongesit, who hails from Itiam Etoi in Uyo, says she ventured into shoe making out of necessity and passion. “There are no jobs in the country. I applied to companies, to government establishments, but there was always no vacancy,” she recounted. “I decided to create a job not just for myself, but for others too.”
Her entry into the craft came during her National Youth Service in Port Harcourt, where a damaged shoe triggered her curiosity. “I realized making shoes wasn’t as complicated as I thought. I researched and found a local shoemaker who mentored me. I trained with him for six months,” she explained.
Today, she runs her small-scale workshop, producing sandals, slippers, and cover shoes, mostly with hand tools and minimal equipment. “I don’t have the machines I need. Leather sewing machines, pressing and drying machines are all expensive. I currently do most of the work manually.”
Despite the challenges, her creativity and determination are gaining traction. “I can make up to three shoes a day by myself and up to 15 with help from apprentices,” she noted. She currently sources materials from Aba and locally within Akwa Ibom, focusing on strong, distinct designs that stand out.
Idongesit’s brand, Yatab, an acronym for “Uncommon Favour” is proudly “Made in Akwa Ibom.” Though unregistered for now, she hopes to formalize her business soon and expand her reach beyond Facebook, where she currently markets her products.
Looking ahead, she dreams of establishing a training center to empower other youths. “With support, I can train others for as low as ₦50,000 over six months. We need to stop waiting for the government and start equipping ourselves,” she said.
She also plans to diversify into handbag production once resources allow, having identified a training facility in Owerri she hopes to attend in the future.
To the government, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals, Idongesit sends a clear message: “Support young entrepreneurs like me. Help us grow our ideas, train more people, and build something that uplifts our state and the country.”
Idongesit’s story is not just one of grit and resilience, it’s a call to action for a generation of youth to embrace innovation, learn practical skills, and reclaim their economic power from the ground up.
The Evangelist News
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