AEA Graduates 30 Fashion Entrepreneurs With Starter Packs
By: Emmanuel Tortiv
After six months of intensive training, the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) has graduated and equipped the first batch of 30 Fashion Entrepreneurs with brand new sewing machines, electric sewing machine motors among other materials in their starter packs.
The training was in collaboration with Abaji Area Council and AFS Fashion Hub.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, which also marks the launch of the Agency’s Liaison Office in Abaji on Thursday, the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of FCT, Dr. Samuel Atang, said the success of the programme demonstrated the dedication of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) towards improving the living standards of residents by creating socio-economic opportunities aimed at fostering an inclusive society for everyone to succeed.
Atang lauded the efforts of the AEA as a Special Purpose Vehicle for critical interventions on Small and Medium Enterprises through the hosting of the One-Stop-Shop, which has greatly enhanced the Ease of Doing Business in FCT.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Area Councils Services Secretariat, Dr. Olusegun Olusa, the Head of Civil Service congratulated the participants for the successful completion of the training programme and urged them to make judicious use of the starter packs provided.
His words: “Atang counseled the Fashion Entrepreneurs to desist from the age-long bad habit where Fashion Designers delivered jobs behind schedules.“
“If you don’t keep to time in your business, you will lose clients and that will not augur well for your much needed growth,” he added.
Welcoming guests to the occasion, the Managing Director/CEO of AEA, Mr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said due to its lucrative nature, a major percentage of entrepreneurs in FCT are currently found among those in the fashion industry.
He said the idea of the Fashion Center started in 2022 with the aim of building the capacity of startups and existing fashion designers by developing their fashion and entrepreneurial skills through a programme that is tailored to enhance the quality of their production that can also position them for international opportunities.
The Managing Director disclosed that each of the graduating participants today will receive a starter pack comprising a brand new sewing machine, electric sewing machine motor and other materials.
“Participants will also receive as post training support packages, business development service, business mentorship, co-operative formation, business formulization and other entrepreneurial support services from AEA, Ugwuada-Ezirigwe stressed.
While calling on the graduating participants to see entrepreneurship as a means of livelihood and wealth creation, charged them to be shining examples and stars for their peers, who did not enjoy the opportunity of participating in the programme.
The Managing Director, thus, announced plans by the Agency to soon commence in earnest operations at the proposed Abuja Business School of Entrepreneurship.
He appreciated the visionary leadership of the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for their support to the Agency in fulfillment of its mandate.
Ugwuada-Ezirigwe called on other Area Councils in FCT to emulate the example of Abaji in partnering with the Agency towards uplifting the lives of their residents at the grassroots through entrepreneurship.
On his part, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, who is also the ALGON Chairman in the FCT, Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, expressed satisfaction in partnering with the Agency.
The Chairman, who was represented at the occasion by by the Vice Chairman, Isah Makka, called on the graduating participants to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired from the training.
