A beneficiary of the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), in Delta State and graduate of Management Studies from the State owned University (DELSU), Sophia Obruche Akpotor, has called out on youths particularly Deltans to learn skills in order to be gainfully employed.
The Management Studies graduate, from Ethoope east local government area of the State, who got enrolled into the 2015/2016 cycle of STEP, featured in Cosmetology, after she roamed the streets unemployed for two years.
The need to diversify her enterprise to increase her streams of income motivated her to acquire another skill in Hairdressing, Braiding and Makeover.
Presently, she is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sofina STEP Salon & Spa located in Asaba, the State capital where she has trained over 50 persons doubling as resource person in the Job and Wealth Creation office.
Six years on, she shares her story:“I enjoy what I am doing in terms of facials and massage because I love beauty. When I started, I rented a shop but the patronage was low.
“Nobody was interested in beauty therapy then for lack of knowledge. I realized I needed to diversify into hairdressing in order to attract clients. The first woman who patronized me had her hair made for free to convince her that I was good.
“As we speak, I have trained over 50 persons and have clients all over Asaba. I have diversified to sales of beauty products and jewelry and, also, to the production of Sofina Beauty Products. I make wigs too. I am making great impact in my family by assisting my husband in the upkeep of my home.
“I also engage in free community service. I have trained some women in my church to enable them to contribute to the upkeep of their families. I advise every unemployed Delta Youth to acquire a skill to be self-employed.
“They should strive to become CEOs of their own enterprises. No one is too big to acquire a skill. This is the reality; all my apprentices are graduates. God bless Governor Okowa; God bless Delta State”, she prayed.
