By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

It was a day of celebration, pride, and renewed hope as 36 young men and women from across the Niger Delta graduated from the Esther Matthew Tonlagha (EMT) Youth Empowerment Programme, Batch B, over the weekend.

The event, held in Warri, was not just a formality of awarding certificates. It was, in the words of EMT Founder Mrs. Esther Matthew Tonlagha, “a celebration of journeys taken, skills mastered, and futures forever changed.”

The ceremony marked the end of months, and in some cases, a full year, of intensive training in culinary arts, cake making and event planning, fashion design, makeup and gele styling, and salon services. But it also marked a new beginning, one where graduates are expected to turn their new abilities into engines of wealth creation for themselves, their families, and communities.

Speaking with warmth and conviction, Mrs. Tonlagha told the graduates that the skills acquired were more than mere trades.

“You have dedicated time, energy, and heart to learning the art of culinary excellence, cake making, event planning, and the cultural beauty of gele styling,” she said. “These are not just skills, but tools of empowerment, tools that can transform not only your own lives but also the lives of those around you.”

She encouraged them to view graduation as the start of a lifelong journey of innovation and courage. “You have chosen growth, and with that choice, you have planted seeds of possibility. Whether you start a business, support your family, or teach others what you have learned, remember your hands now carry the power to build something meaningful.”

Guest speakers reinforced the empowerment message with practical lessons.

Creative Director of Zion Cakes and Events, Mrs. Elozino Mamah, urged graduates to align passion with purpose:

“Choose a business you love so you can thrive. Every business solves a problem. Use social media—it’s where most clients come from. Start small; Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

She reminded them that professionalism and branding matter. “Appreciate your clients, deliver quality, and present yourself professionally. Register your business name early, build a logo, and create social media accounts because the market is shifting online.”

On her part, CEO of Emomel Multi-Concept Investment, Mrs. Blessing Ketson Pondi, shared her journey from selling 20 bags of rice to running pig and poultry farms: “If you can’t run a business with N200,000, you won’t succeed with N500 million. Business requires humility, focus, and the right relationships. Sometimes relationships are your starting capital, not money.”

She urged graduates to showcase their skills even in small ways. “Caterers, don’t wait for a big wedding. Offer to cook a pot of soup or beans for a neighbour. Every step builds credibility.”

Also speaking, wife of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Administrator and an active farmer, Chief (Mrs.) Ebimaboere Dennis Otuaro warned against neglecting one’s enterprise: “If you leave everything to workers, they will run you out of business. Be present, manage your capital, and adapt to customers’ needs. Opportunities like this don’t come every day.”

Drawing from her own farming and retail experience, she added: “Business should give you joy beyond money. Stay humble, attend to customers personally, and never let pride get in the way.”

One unique feature of the EMT programme is its support beyond training. At the Warri graduation, generosity was evident as graduates received both equipment and financial capital to launch their businesses immediately.

Culinary graduates each received a generator, deep freezer, oven, 10kg cake mixer, 12.5kg gas cylinder, and N500,000 cash. Those in cake and events were given a generator, deep freezer, mixer, oven, and N500,000. Makeup and gele graduates received full professional kits, a makeup chair, lighted lashes table, lashes machine, and N500,000.

Training durations varied: three months for cake and events, six months for salon services, and a full year for fashion and design. Selection into the programme involves an open ballot and screening process to ensure genuine need and commitment.

Mrs. Tonlagha explained that the foundation prioritises accessible, reputable training centres. “We always look for the best skill acquisition schools in central city areas so students can get quality instruction easily,” she said.

Batch C is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with applications open to eligible Niger Delta youths.

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, sent a goodwill message delivered by Pastor Ambrose Omafuwe. He praised the EMT Foundation for transforming communities, not just individuals.

“This event is a celebration of vocational achievement and a powerful expression of hope, dignity, and economic emancipation for the less privileged,” he said.

He highlighted EMT’s wider impact, including free medical outreaches to creek communities, renovation of Okenrekonko Cottage Hospital, and provision of modern medical equipment and staff. These efforts, he noted, align with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“EMT Foundation has not only given you fish to eat but has taught you how to fish. Be courageous, creative, and diligent. Let your set be a shining testament to the value of hard work and opportunity,” he urged the graduates.

Though formally inaugurated in December 2023, the EMT Foundation has been transforming lives for over eight years. The official structure has allowed it to expand reach, increase resources, and streamline programmes.

From healthcare initiatives to vocational training, its mission remains constant—empowering Niger Delta’s most vulnerable populations to break cycles of poverty and dependency.

For Mrs. Tonlagha, the drive is personal. “We believe in building people, not just projects. When you empower one person, you empower an entire community.”

The joy at the graduation was palpable. Graduates beamed as they received certificates and starter packs, cheered on by proud families. For many, the journey was not easy—balancing training with family duties, overcoming financial and personal struggles—but the result was renewed purpose.

One graduate summed it up simply: “Before this programme, I had no skill and no clear direction. Today, I have the tools, the knowledge, and the capital to start my own business. I am forever grateful to EMT.”

As Batch B steps into entrepreneurship, attention now turns to Batch C, with applications expected to pour in. With its tested model—quality training, rigorous selection, comprehensive start-up support, and strong alumni encouragement—the EMT Foundation is poised to keep shaping futures in the Niger Delta.

Mrs. Tonlagha’s closing charge captured the spirit of the day: “Be courageous as you go along. When you make mistakes, learn from them and get better. Your talents deserve a place in the world, and the sky is your starting point. Go and change your world.”