Saturday, October 3, 2026, marked the conclusion of the two-day empowerment programme organised by the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, in collaboration with Aqil Transnational Ltd., for market women across Cross River Central Senatorial District.
The programme, facilitated by Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, was designed to equip women in small-scale businesses with modern knowledge, practical skills and improved approaches to managing their enterprises,
Market women gathered at Hotel 45 Hall in Ikom Local Government Area on the first day, and on the second day, the event took place in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area.
The initiative is part of Senator Eteng Jonah Williams’ continued commitment to human aid capital development and the empowerment of small-scale businesses within Cross River Central, with particular attention to women who form a significant part of the local economy.
The programme also included financial support, with the organisers announcing that more than 160 participating market women would receive ₦100,000 each to support and strengthen their businesses.
At the end of the training, certificates of participation were presented to the beneficiaries.
Representing Senator Eteng Williams at the programme, his Liaison Officer, Mr. Ikoi Uket (Ben Bruce), said the Senator remained passionate about improving the socio-economic conditions of his constituents.
He noted that over the past three years, Senator Eteng had consistently delivered dividends of democracy through legislation, human capital development and various empowerment initiatives.
“Over the last three years, Senator Eteng Williams has dutifully delivered the dividends of democracy in several areas and on multiple fronts, not just in the primary mandate of law-making, but also in terms of life-changing empowerment and endowment.”
According to him, the Senator believes that building the capacity of constituents and supporting small businesses are important steps towards reducing poverty and unemployment in the district.
The representative also called on the beneficiaries and other constituents to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the empowerment programme aligns with efforts to build a more resilient and productive economy.
“I wish to remind us again that President Tinubu’s administration is doing a lot to build a resilient economy that will provide better and sustainable opportunities for all Nigerians. Reforms can be painful and difficult, but with patience, persistence and hard work, the gains will definitely come in bounties.”
The latest intervention builds on Senator Eteng Williams’ previous efforts to support women and small-scale businesses in the district.
In 2024, the Senator implemented a poultry empowerment scheme for women interested in starting or expanding poultry businesses. Beneficiaries received practical training, start-up birds, feeds and financial assistance to help them establish their enterprises.
The Senator has maintained that sustainable development goes beyond physical infrastructure, stressing the importance of investing in people, strengthening livelihoods and creating opportunities for constituents to become economically self-reliant.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with journalists at the training venue expressed appreciation to Senator Eteng Williams for the initiative, describing the programme as timely and impactful.
They called on other elected representatives to emulate the Senator by investing more in human capital development and supporting small businesses within their constituencies.
The empowerment programme reinforces Senator Eteng Williams’ stated commitment to ensuring that his representation translates into tangible improvements in the lives and livelihoods of the people of Cross River Central.
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