Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the former President of Nigeria, officially launched the Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program (WEEP) in Yenagoa, a transformative initiative funded by Global Health Systems Solutions (GHSS) and executed by Illuminating Minds. As the Chief Special Guest at the event, Dr. Jonathan urged the 70 pilot program beneficiaries to stay resilient and excel in their chosen fields. He praised Dr. Itari Turner, the project facilitator, for her dedication to women’s empowerment and stressed the importance of innovative approaches to uplift girls and tackle poverty in local communities. “The future of the local economy depends on women entrepreneurs,” Dr. Jonathan emphasized, encouraging the participants to be intentional and serve as strong representatives of the program.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, also lauded Illuminating Minds for its targeted initiatives in local communities and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the program’s long-term success.
Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd), former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and the event’s chairperson, along with keynote speaker Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (represented by Bayelsa State Head of Service, Barr. Biobelemeye Onyema), encouraged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity. They cautioned against the common tendency to sell the starter kits received after training, stressing that the true success of the program would be measured by their ability to build sustainable businesses and careers.
Dr. Itari Turner, the Convener and Executive Director of Illuminating Minds, provided an overview of WEEP, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment for societal development. She noted that globally, women have proven that when given the right resources, they can transform communities, economies, and nations. Empowering women strengthens families, drives economic growth, and creates resilient societies. She explained that WEEP is designed to address challenges faced by women in business and professional growth through structured interventions, offering essential skills, financial support, and access to networks. The program focuses on business development, employability training, and vocational education, with the goal of creating thriving communities where women-led businesses can innovate and compete on a larger scale.
Prof. Patrick Njukeng, Executive Director of GHSS, spoke about the need to amplify women’s voices in societies that often overlook their development, urging the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to overcome poverty and societal limitations. Several of the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to GHSS and Illuminating Minds and committed to maximizing the program’s potential.
A significant highlight of the event was the unveiling of the 70 beneficiaries, followed by a cultural display that included a special dance and drama performance by the Izon cultural troupe.
