WARRI/Nigeria: Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has empowered 101 Army wives in Delta State with vocational skills and business support aimed at improving household incomes and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The beneficiaries participated in a six-day Vocational and Entrepreneurship Enhancement Programme organised in Warri by VCDF in partnership with the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 63 Brigade Chapter, Delta State.
The programme equipped the women with practical skills in bread making, makeup and gele styling, leather works and Adire (tie-and-dye), while also exposing them to the fundamentals of running small businesses.
Beyond vocational training, the participants received instruction in business planning, record keeping, pricing, customer relations and access to financial services, providing them with knowledge to convert their newly acquired skills into viable enterprises.
At the end of the programme, the beneficiaries were presented with tailored business start-up kits to enable them to begin applying their skills and developing income-generating activities.
VCDF also announced plans to provide the participants with six months of Business Advisory Services, including mentorship and technical guidance, as they establish or expand their businesses.
For the beneficiaries, the intervention offered an opportunity to acquire practical skills that could complement household income and improve their economic independence.
One of the participants, Mrs Aisha Mustapha, who underwent training in leather works, expressed appreciation to VCDF, saying the programme had equipped her with knowledge that could help her improve her business.
“I am grateful to VCDF for the leatherwork training. I have gained valuable insights that will help me improve my business,” she said.
Mustapha added that the training had increased the confidence of many Army wives to use their new skills to pursue better income opportunities.
The Public Relations Officer of NAOWA, Delta State Chapter, Mrs Essor, described the programme as timely and practical, saying the combination of skills training and start-up support could help strengthen household incomes within the military community.
According to her, the provision of skills and starter kits would make it easier for the beneficiaries to put their training into practice and begin building their businesses.
The Deputy National Programmes Manager of VCDF, Mr Philip Ukemezia, said the organisation’s approach was designed to go beyond conventional skills acquisition by providing practical support that could translate into sustainable economic outcomes.
“VCDF combines structured skills training with practical support to build sustainable household economic resilience,” Ukemezia said.
He disclosed that VCDF had trained more than 200 Army wives across supported communities in Akwa Ibom and Delta states in 2026.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army 3 Battalion, Major A. Haruna; the Zonal Coordinator, NAOWA, Delta State Chapter, Mrs Eyitoyosi O. Shonibare; a representative of SEEPCO and other stakeholders.
VCDF said the intervention was part of its broader commitment to women’s economic empowerment, poverty reduction and household resilience, while contributing to relevant Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those relating to poverty reduction and gender equality.
The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working with SEEPCO, the Nigerian Army, government agencies and communities to expand skills development initiatives that create sustainable economic opportunities for women and support inclusive growth.
