BY SOLOMON OKPO
Hundreds of women in host communities across Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are experiencing renewed economic opportunities through a financial literacy and entrepreneurship programme sponsored by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).
The initiative, implemented through the Vcare Community Development Foundation (VCDF), forms part of SEEPCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment aimed at promoting financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods among women in its host communities.
The programme, which commenced last year, benefitted about 1,000 women drawn from various communities in the two states. Participants were organized into clusters for effective coordination and trained on basic financial management and business development skills.
At the end of the first phase, beneficiaries received start-up funds to establish micro-enterprises. While many participants successfully invested the funds and recorded appreciable returns, others were unable to utilize the opportunity effectively.
Encouraged by the success stories recorded during the first phase, SEEPCO and VCDF launched a second phase of the programme, focusing on women who demonstrated commitment, discipline and progress in their businesses.
Under the new phase, the first batch of 100 beneficiaries has received advanced training as well as working tools, equipment, consumables and essential business materials required to strengthen and expand their enterprises.
The ongoing training, which began on May 22 and is expected to run for about two weeks, exposes participants to critical business management skills including business planning, budgeting, savings culture, pricing strategies, customer relations and financial record-keeping. The programme also provides guidance on responsible spending and access to financial services.
Speaking during the training, the Village Head of Iwofe Community, Chief Goodfellow Julius, commended SEEPCO and VCDF for their sustained investment in community development through impactful empowerment initiatives.
He noted that the programme distinguishes itself from conventional empowerment schemes by combining practical skills acquisition with financial literacy, business support tools and confidence-building measures that enable women to establish and sustain viable enterprises.
According to him, the initiative will not only improve household incomes but also contribute significantly to economic growth and social stability within the host communities.
Several beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to SEEPCO and VCDF for what they described as a life-changing opportunity.
One of the participants, Mrs. Peace Emem, described the programme as a turning point in her life, saying the training and starter-pack support had equipped her with the confidence and resources needed to launch her own business and contribute more meaningfully to her family’s wellbeing.
The empowerment initiative is widely regarded as a strategic intervention designed to foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and promote economic self-reliance among women in SEEPCO’s host communities across Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
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