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LAGOS – More than 500 young people in Calabar have benefitted from a free skills acquisition programme organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Youth Church, Region 17, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Cross River State.
The two-week training, which ran from July 28 to August 9, 2025, featured courses in baking and catering, cosmetology, ICT and digital business, barbing and styling, solar energy installation, CCTV and satellite dish installation, fascinator making, food and beverage services, paint production, and POP design.
Addressing the graduates, Her Excellency, Mrs. Eyowan Bassey Otu, urged them to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to job creation in today’s challenging economy. Represented by Dr. Virginia Ironbar, wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, she commended the church for complementing government efforts through empowerment.
“This gathering is a celebration of vision, hard work, and determination. By investing in skills, you are not only transforming your lives but also securing a brighter future for our state. It gladdens my heart to see faith-based institutions leading practical empowerment initiatives that align with the People-First agenda of this administration,” she said.
Speaking on the objectives of the initiative, Pastor Obok James, Youth General Overseer of MFM Region 17, explained that the programme, which began in 2015, was designed to tackle unemployment and curb youth restiveness.
“Our vision is to channel the energy of young people into productive ventures. The training is entirely free, and the church bears the cost of engaging instructors. Over the years, we have trained participants from different states, religions, and denominations. This 10th edition is a testimony to the impact of empowering youths with both skills and start-up support,” he said.
Guest speaker, Pastor John Ama, also encouraged participants to adopt creative approaches to raising capital and sustaining their businesses.
The event ended with the presentation of start-up equipment by the Office of the First Lady to all graduates.