There was an outpouring of joy, gratitude and celebration on Friday, September 11, 2026, as over 500 beneficiaries successfully graduated from Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi’s Continuous Skills Development and Empowerment Programme at the NASENI Skills Acquisition Centre, Owerri.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), widely regarded as one of the most impactful and sustainable human capital development programmes in Imo State, once again demonstrates Senator Onyewuchi’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
For hundreds of participants, the programme represents a turning point, converting aspirations into opportunities, dependence into self-reliance, and unemployment into productive engagement.
The atmosphere at the graduation ceremony reflected the profound impact of the intervention. Beneficiaries and supporters broke into songs of praise and thanksgiving as graduates received starter packs, working tools and financial support to enable them establish and grow their respective skills.
In line with the programme’s established tradition of excellence, participants underwent intensive practical training facilitated by carefully selected professionals and industry experts from across the country in high-demand sectors including ICT/Artificial Intelligence, Phone Repairs, and Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Representing Senator Onyewuchi at the event, Mr. Chiaka Alozie described the graduation as another milestone in the Senator’s enduring legacy of peoples’ centred representation and strategic economic empowerment. He noted that the lawmaker’s commitment to equipping citizens with marketable skills and the resources required for enterprise development has remained a cornerstone of his developmental agenda.
According to him, the consistency, sustainability and measurable outcomes of the initiative underscore Senator Onyewuchi’s firm belief that skills acquisition remains one of the most credible pathways to job creation, wealth generation and community development.
Mr. Alozie further recalled that thousands of young men and women across the nine local government areas of Imo East Senatorial District and beyond have benefited from the programme over the years, resulting in the emergence of numerous successful entrepreneurs, small business owners and employers of labour. He noted that the initiative has significantly contributed to economic growth while helping to reduce social vices associated with unemployment.
He assured participants that Senator Onyewuchi would continue to expand and strengthen the programme, in fulfillment of the commitment he made during the commissioning of the NASENI Skills Acquisition Centre on July 21, 2026. He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his support towards the realization of the landmark facility, which remains one of the most advanced skills development centres in the South-East region.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, a representative of the Agency, Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro commended the professionalism with which the training and graduation exercise were organized. He applauded Senator Onyewuchi for partnering with NASENI to advance the job creation and economic empowerment objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He described Senator Onyewuchi as a visionary and result-oriented leader whose contributions to legislative governance and human capital development continue to positively impact not only Imo East Senatorial District but the nation at large. He further noted that the Senator has consistently deployed legislative advocacy and strategic partnerships to support NASENI’s developmental mandate.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Cornelia Anyanwu (Ikeduru), Solomon Uchechukwu Anuruo (Owerri Municipal), Chinedu Ekechukwu (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Divine Amadi (Mbaitoli), Chizitere Ike-Nutella (Ngor Okpala), Solomon Mbizie (Owerri North), Chijioke Chiedo (Owerri West), Bright Nwachukwu (Aboh Mbaise) and Samuel Obi (Ahiazu Mbaise) expressed profound appreciation to Senator Onyewuchi for what they described as a life-changing intervention. They noted that the training was practical, comprehensive and tailored to current market realities, adding that the starter packs and tools received would enable them immediately establish their businesses and contribute meaningfully to the economy. They pledged to make productive use of the opportunity and become worthy ambassadors of the programme.
For many observers, the event once again reinforced Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi’s reputation as a leader whose representation extends beyond legislation to tangible investments in human capital development, economic empowerment and sustainable prosperity for the people of Imo East Senatorial District.
More photos from the event below.
