By Egufe Yafugborhi

ASABA – ChyBee Entrepreneurship Foundation for Women and Youths has called for a shift from dependency to capacity building, urging beneficiaries of empowerment programmes to acquire practical skills that can translate into sustainable livelihoods.

Founder of the foundation, Amb. Mrs Chinyere Chukwudi Zimako, stated this at the foundation’s entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and business development programme held weekend in Asaba.

Zimako said the initiative was designed to equip women and youths with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to become financially independent.

She said: “Empowerment should create capacity, not dependency. Our goal is to equip people with knowledge, skills, confidence and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

“We want participants to leave this programme with practical skills, meaningful connections and the ability to identify and create opportunities for themselves.”

She urged participants to develop multiple sources of income, understand their markets and maximise digital platforms and artificial intelligence to grow their businesses.

According to her, “You must understand the market you are operating in and know how to position your business.

“Do not depend on one source of income. Develop multiple income streams and use the opportunities available through digital platforms and artificial intelligence.”

The programme featured free mentorship, practical training and skills acquisition, with resource persons taking participants through various areas of enterprise development.

One of the resource persons, Magistrate Teddy Ogungbowa, focused on poultry farming, providing participants with practical guidance on establishing and managing profitable poultry businesses.

Chairman of FESTAC Africa Festival, Engineer Yinka Abioye, described the initiative as an important contribution to community development.

Abioye said: “I accepted the invitation because I believe in programmes that help people build better futures.

“When you develop people, you are developing communities and, ultimately, the country. Do not waste the opportunities provided through this programme.

“Apply what you have learnt and share the knowledge with others. You should not see yourselves only as beneficiaries. You are future mentors who should be able to empower other people.”

Another awardee, DC Philip Abdul Adejo, commended the foundation for exposing participants to practical skills and entrepreneurship.

Adejo said: “This kind of training can reduce pressure on government when beneficiaries are able to turn their skills into sustainable businesses.

“Government should also complement initiatives like this by providing accessible financial assistance, including soft loans, so that beneficiaries can establish and expand their businesses.”

The event featured presentation of grants and starter packs to beneficiaries to support their businesses, as well as awards to individuals recognised for their contributions to society and support for the foundation’s empowerment initiative.

The programme, the foundation’s second empowerment initiative in 2026, also featured mentorship and networking opportunities for participants.