Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
In a landmark achievement for grassroots development in Benue State, Hon. Emmanuel Terungwa Iorbee, the Principal Special Assistant to the Executive Governor on Protocol and Wardrobe, has successfully graduated over 800 youths and women from a comprehensive Skills Acquisition Program in Kwande Local Government Area.
The initiative, which focused on equipping participants with practical vocational skills, offered training in tailoring, soap-making, hairdressing, shoe production, and small-scale business development. The goal: to foster self-reliance, curb unemployment, and build a new generation of entrepreneurs in the region.
Speaking on the program’s impact, Hon. Iorbee emphasized its alignment with the administration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose vision prioritizes human capital development and economic independence at the local level. “This is more than training—it’s transformation,” a source close to the program noted. “These graduates are now empowered to create jobs, support their families, and contribute to the growth of Kwande.”
The graduation ceremony, held amid cheers and applause, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the success. Special recognition was given to the Chairman of Kwande Local Government, who also serves as the ALGON Chairman for Benue State, and Hon. Uta Stephen Aondona, for their unwavering support and coordination throughout the program.
Participants, many of whom were previously unemployed or underemployed, expressed gratitude for the life-changing opportunity. “I can now start my own tailoring business,” one graduate shared. “This program didn’t just teach me a skill—it gave me hope.”
Tagged under the banner “The Alia The Better,” the initiative reflects the governor’s commitment to tangible, people-centered governance. With over 800 newly skilled individuals ready to launch businesses and train others, the ripple effects of this program are expected to be felt across Kwande and beyond for years to come.
As Benue continues to position itself as a hub for youth empowerment and vocational excellence, Hon. Iorbee’s efforts stand as a shining example of what focused leadership and community collaboration can achieve. The message is clear: in Kwande, the future is being built—one skill at a time.
