Bayo Akomolafe Intels Nigeria Limited has donated 1,000 garments to Engraced Life Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, dedicated to support girls and women in their fight against breast cancer. The garments were presented by the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Pasquale Fiore, to the founder of the foundation, Ethel Olomu. Olomu, who is a Stage 4 breast cancer survivor, expressed appreciation to the company for the kind gesture, saying that the garment would support the foundation’s vision of giving someone the chance to live again. Fiore said that the company had always offered support to those in need through its various CSR programmes.
He noted: “We are here to celebrate the trainees who have successfully completed their training in the WEPSS facility and to bid them farewell as they begin their journey into a new phase in their lives. “As some of you may already be aware, this facility was set up at the instance of our Group chairman as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, targeted at the women of the communities where we operate.
“We are delighted that within ears of its operation, from November 6, 2013, WEPSS has successfully trained over 1,500 women, many of whom are presently earning a living from the skills acquired from WEPSS.” Also, 40 women have graduated from the Class of 2021 Batch B of the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS), a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of the company. WEPSS was established by INTELS in 2013 to empower 5,000 community women over a 20-year period through training in fashion design and tailoring. Since inception eight years ago, about 1,500 women drawn from various communities across the country have benefited from the empowerment scheme.
During the graduation ceremony held at the WEPSS Training Centre, Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne Port, Fiore explained that the Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) was part of the vision of the Group Chairman of INTELS to support and empower Nigerian women. He said: “I urge those of you graduating today to make the most of the training and knowledge you have acquired.
“Clothing is one of the basic necessities of life and will continue to be in demand. Knowledge is power, ambition is a driver. You can start on a small scale and over time build up your business.” Also speaking, the General Manager, Legal and Corporate Services of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Amaopusenibo Mike Epelle, said WEPSS had become one of the best training facilities for tailoring and fashion design in Nigeria. He also said that the company had contributed immensely to its host communities through various corporate social responsibility initiatives.