The Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Plateau State Chapter, in partnership with the World Bank-supported Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, has graduated over 100 beneficiaries following the successful completion of a six month vocational skills acquisition programme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, self reliance, and economic empowerment.
The graduation ceremony, held at the COWAN Multipurpose Hall in Jos, brought together government officials, development partners, facilitators, parents, media representatives, and trainees who completed intensive training in Fashion and Garment Making, Beauty and Cosmetology, Baking and Confectionery, Catering and Hospitality, and Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs.
In her opening remarks, the State Coordinator of COWAN, Mrs. Jesica Vonkat, welcomed participants and distinguished guests, expressing appreciation to stakeholders who supported the programme. She commended the commitment of the trainees while urging them to embrace discipline, dedication, and responsibility as they transition into the business world.
Mrs. Vonkat emphasized that the graduates should no longer see themselves as trainees but as entrepreneurs ready to apply their skills and build sustainable livelihoods.
She encouraged beneficiaries to make productive use of the starter packs expected from the programme, noting that the items were intended to help establish and strengthen businesses rather than be sold for immediate financial gain. She also assured participants that pending transport allowances would be paid directly into their bank accounts once processed by the relevant authorities.
Delivering the keynote address, the COWAN-IDEAS Training Programme Manager, Mrs. Jessica Danjuma Obadiah, described the graduation as more than a ceremony, calling it a celebration of resilience, determination, and hope.
She noted that the programme was designed to equip participants with practical and marketable skills capable of transforming lives and creating economic opportunities.
Mrs. Obadiah highlighted the various vocational trades represented by the graduates and expressed confidence that the skills acquired would position them to become employers of labour, entrepreneurs, and contributors to community development.
“Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. You are no longer just trainees; you are entrepreneurs with valuable skills and the potential to make meaningful contributions to society,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates in Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs, trainee representative Machief Dennis Mabur thanked the World Bank, IDEAS Project, COWAN, and the Federal Government for providing the opportunity to acquire practical skills.
He described the programme as life-changing and expressed confidence that the beneficiaries would not only become self-reliant but also train others, thereby contributing to community development and job creation.
Facilitators from the various vocational trades also shared their experiences and encouraged graduates to remain committed to continuous learning and professional development.
Beauty and Cosmetology facilitator, Lois Vonkat, congratulated the trainees and urged them to continue practicing their skills, stressing that excellence can only be achieved through consistency and continuous improvement.
Fashion and Garment Making facilitator, Elizabeth Atsen, thanked the IDEAS Project, COWAN, and all stakeholders for making the programme possible, while commending the trainees for their dedication and perseverance throughout the training period.
Similarly, Baking and Confectionery facilitator, Grace Kuptong, described the programme as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. She encouraged beneficiaries to build on the foundation they had received and continue improving themselves in order to achieve greater success.
Trainee representatives from the various vocational trades expressed gratitude to the organisers and facilitators for investing in their future.
Speaking on behalf of the Beauty and Cosmetology graduates, John Jennifer Kachollom appreciated the commitment and mentorship provided by the facilitators, noting that despite challenges encountered during the programme, participants remained focused and successfully completed their training.
Fashion and Garment Making graduate, Siri Chidiebere Lilian, said the skills acquired had boosted participants’ confidence and prepared them to begin their entrepreneurial journeys.
For the Baking and Confectionery class, Walbe Jennifer Simeon commended the facilitators for their patience, encouragement, and dedication, describing the learning environment as supportive and inspiring.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Plateau State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, Director of Administration, Mr. Dusu David Pam, praised COWAN and its partners for implementing a programme that aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and sustainable partnerships.
He commended the organisers for empowering beneficiaries through vocational education and announced the donation of an industrial sewing machine and a cash contribution of ₦100,000 to support entrepreneurship among the graduates.
Also speaking, Mrs. Chundung Chuwang, Director in the Plateau State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and representative of the Honourable Commissioner, encouraged the graduates to organise themselves into clusters and associations within their respective trades to improve access to future government programmes and opportunities.
She reminded participants that while education is important, practical skills remain a valuable form of wealth capable of creating sustainable livelihoods.
Founder of the Young Aspirers Health Mates International Foundation (YAHI), Ambassador Clemency Zere Ishaya, challenged the graduates to leverage social media platforms to market their products and services.
He encouraged them to consistently showcase their work online, noting that digital visibility could create opportunities beyond their immediate communities and even beyond Nigeria.
Dr. Gad Peter Shamaki also urged the beneficiaries to confidently launch their businesses, embrace digital marketing, and remain committed to continuous learning and self-improvement as they pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Jesica Vonkat thanked all stakeholders, facilitators, development partners, invited guests, and trainees for their dedication and support throughout the six-month programme.
She encouraged the graduates to put their newly acquired skills into practice, stressing that success would depend on their willingness to remain committed, disciplined, and hardworking.
The COWAN State Coordinator also addressed concerns regarding unsigned certificates, explaining that the delay resulted from printing errors that were already being corrected. She assured graduates that all certificates would be properly reviewed and reissued where necessary.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to all graduating trainees, officially marking the completion of the vocational training programme and ushering the beneficiaries into a new phase of entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and economic empowerment.
