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Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), has empowered 101 women through a six-day vocational and entrepreneurship enhancement programme organised in partnership with the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 63 Brigade Chapter, Delta State.
The training, held in Warri, Delta State, was designed to strengthen women’s economic independence, improve household resilience and equip participants with practical skills capable of generating sustainable income.
The initiative recognised the unique challenges faced by families within the military community, particularly wives of fallen officers and those whose husbands are frequently away on operational duties.
Beyond vocational instruction, the programme exposed beneficiaries to essential business skills, including business planning, record keeping, pricing, customer relations and access to financial services.
According to VCDF, the broader objective was to ensure that participants could transform their newly acquired skills into viable enterprises and sustainable livelihoods.
At the end of the training, a ceremony was held where tailored business start-up kits were presented to the beneficiaries to support the immediate application of the skills acquired during the programme.
Dignitaries at the event included the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army 3 Battalion, Major A. Haruna; the Zonal Coordinator, NAOWA Delta State Chapter, Mrs. Eyitoyosi O. Shonibare; and a representative of SEEPCO.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, a participant, Mrs. Aisha Mustapha, expressed appreciation to VCDF for the leatherwork training, saying it had provided her with valuable knowledge to improve her business.
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She added that the training had boosted the confidence of many army wives to earn better incomes through the skills they had acquired.
The Public Relations Officer of NAOWA Delta State Chapter, Mrs. Essor, described the programme as timely and practical, noting that it would strengthen household incomes and support families within the military environment through skills development and starter kits.
The Deputy National Programmes Manager of VCDF, Mr. Philip Ukemezia, said the foundation combines structured skills training with practical support to build sustainable household economic resilience.
He disclosed that VCDF had trained more than 200 army wives across supported communities in Akwa Ibom and Delta states in 2026.
Ukemezia said the organisation would continue working with SEEPCO, the Nigerian Army, government agencies and communities to expand sustainable skills development and promote inclusive economic growth.
VCDF also announced plans to provide six months of business advisory services, including mentorship and technical guidance, to help beneficiaries establish and strengthen their businesses.
The programme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 on No Poverty and SDG 5 on Gender Equality, while supporting broader efforts to promote inclusive livelihoods and economic empowerment among vulnerable households.
VCDF reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility investments to support skills development and strengthen economic opportunities for women across Nigeria.
