Transcorp Hilton Abuja and ACE Charity on Thursday graduated four young women from the 16th cycle of the Business Empowerment Programme for Women (BEPW), bringing the total number of beneficiaries trained under the initiative to 60 since its inception in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The graduates completed six months of intensive training in fashion design, garment making and business management, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, financial independence and sustainable livelihoods among young women with limited opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hotel Manager, Mohamed Said Khalil, who welcomed guests to the graduation ceremony, described the programme as one of the most remarkable community-focused initiatives he had encountered in his career across several hotels and regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Managing Director of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Uzo Oshogwe, commended the graduates for their resilience and determination, stressing that the programme extended beyond tailoring skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Today is not just about receiving certificates. It is about celebrating commitment, resilience and leadership. You came here to learn tailoring, but you are leaving with skills that will help you run successful businesses,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oshogwe urged the graduates to uphold excellence in their craft, noting that quality service would guarantee repeat patronage and business growth. She added: “As you grow, remember to take someone along with you because empowerment only grows when it is shared.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She assured beneficiaries that the partnership between the hotel and ACE Charity would continue beyond graduation, with mentorship and support available as they establish their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grants and Partnership Officer of ACE Charity, Rahina Opotu, said beneficiaries are selected based on passion, commitment and willingness to learn, and receive free transportation, meals, and sewing machines upon graduation to help launch their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The programme offers more than technical skills. It builds confidence, discipline and self-belief. We have watched young women transform from being uncertain into confident entrepreneurs ready to create opportunities for themselves and others,” Opotu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She commended Transcorp Hilton Abuja for its sustained partnership, describing the hotel’s commitment to participants’ welfare as instrumental to the programme’s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, team leader Divine Favour thanked the organisers for investing in their future. “We are grateful to you for believing in us and supporting our dreams. This opportunity has changed our lives, and we are determined not to disappoint those who believed in our potential,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ceremony also featured testimonies from past beneficiaries, including Jummai Harrison, who said she went on to enrol in a fashion academy after the programme and now specialises in wedding dress design while creating jobs for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communications and Marketing Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Ijeoma Osuji, urged the new graduates to remain committed to continuous learning and to mentor other young women, saying the initiative’s long-term goal is to create a ripple effect of empowerment across communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organisers noted that beyond acquiring fashion skills, the graduates produced clothing and other items donated to vulnerable communities during their training, underscoring the programme’s social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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