WHW Flag Off Six-Month Vocational Training For Women ,Girls

Women Empowerment: Egor Council, WHW Flag Off Six-Month Vocational Training For Women ,Girls

By Admin 

In a bold move to boost economic self-reliance and fight poverty among women, the Women Helping Women for a Sustainable Tomorrow Foundation (WHW), in collaboration with the Egor Local Government Council has commenced a six-month free skills acquisition programme for women and girls in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.

The empowerment programme, which kicked off on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Egor Skills Acquisition Centre, is aimed at equipping beneficiaries with practical vocational skills that will guarantee sustainable livelihoods, self-reliance and economic independence.

The flag-off ceremony attracted government officials, community leaders, development partners, trainers, media practitioners and the beneficiaries.

Organisers explained that the initiative was designed to help women and girls discover their hidden potentials, acquire income-generating skills and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of their families and communities.

Speaking at the event, the Founder, Global President and Chief Executive Officer of WHW, Prof. Elizabeth Pedro, expressed deep appreciation to the Egor Local Government Council and other stakeholders for supporting the vision and for approving the use of the centre for the training.

Prof. Pedro described the commencement of the free training as a landmark milestone, noting that the centre stands as “a promise kept, a vision realised and a gateway of limitless opportunities” for women and girls in Egor and Edo State at large.

She specifically thanked the Executive Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Rt. Hon. Osaro Osa Eribo, for graciously providing the facility for the foundation’s activities, stressing that the gesture has given the organisation a permanent operational base to expand its impact.

The WHW founder also showered encomiums on her husband, Amb. Shedrack Pedro, for his consistent moral and financial support towards the actualisation of the foundation’s vision, praying that God would continue to provide the resources needed to help more women discover their purpose.

She equally appreciated the Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Olabisi Marie Idaomi, for her support and commitment to humanitarian service and poverty alleviation.

Addressing the trainees, Prof. Pedro declared that the centre is now fully open for training, with qualified instructors, administrative structures and learning facilities already put in place to ensure quality vocational education throughout the six-month duration.

She urged stakeholders to sustain collective responsibility in building a sustainable future, noting that empowering women remains the fastest route to building resilient families and communities.

Prof. Pedro revealed that her childhood experiences were the driving force behind her passion to help women discover their purpose and become self-dependent.

In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government Council, Hon. Kenny Isokpan, who represented the Executive Chairman, Rt. Hon. Osaro Osa Eribo, described the initiative as more than just a training programme, but a strategic investment in families, communities and the future of Egor.

Isokpan lauded the WHW for its commitment to equipping women and girls with practical skills that can be translated into sustainable means of livelihood.

He noted that the partnership reflects the council’s governing philosophy of “Egor First, People First, Service First,” emphasising that when women are empowered, households become stronger, economic participation increases and communities become more resilient.

According to him, the programme aligns perfectly with the human capital development and empowerment agenda of the Edo State Government under the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

He charged the beneficiaries to approach the training with seriousness, discipline and determination, stressing that the goal should transcend mere certification to actually acquiring skills that will become permanent sources of income.

The Vice Chairman further urged the trainees to see themselves as future entrepreneurs, employers of labour and agents of positive change in their communities, while also encouraging them to build strong networks and support one another in turning their skills into viable businesses.

Earlier, Amb. Shedrack Pedro, husband of the founder, thanked the Egor Local Government Council for partnering with the foundation to help women discover purpose through skills acquisition.

He said his wife has remained consistent with the mission since she started the initiative in Canada and has now brought the vision home to her place of birth.

Amb. Pedro expressed confidence that the success story recorded by the foundation in over 22 countries would be replicated in Egor and Edo State.

In her goodwill message, the Head of Department, Social Development, Egor Local Government Council, Mrs. Priscilla Odigie, applauded Prof. Elizabeth Pedro and the council chairman for the laudable initiative aimed at empowering women and girls with tailoring and other vocational skills.

She described the programme as a dream come true, saying she had long desired to see such an empowerment centre established in the local government.

Odigie urged the beneficiaries to remain committed, dedicated and focused, stressing that diligence in learning remains the pathway to discovering potentials and fulfilling life aspirations.

Similarly, the Director of Partnership, Edo State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Mrs. Blessing Odion Aiworo,, commended the foundation and the council for the initiative and urged the trainees to remain committed, noting that acquiring vocational skills could expose them to bigger opportunities and make them worthy ambassadors of the SHINE Agenda.

The colourful ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders, partners, trainers, media practitioners, and women and girls enrolled for the training.

Organisers expressed optimism that at the end of the six-month programme, the initiative would have produced a new generation of skilled entrepreneurs and economically empowered women capable of contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Egor Local Government Area and Edo State in general.