Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics company, INTELS Nigeria Limited, said it had graduated 62 beneficiaries of its Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy, bringing the total beneficiaries to 2,047 since the programme was initiated in 2013.

In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it also donated 500 garments designed by the graduating class to its host communities.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries, the Managing Director of INTELS, Mr Pasquale Fiore, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering women and uplifting communities.

“We believe that when we invest in a woman, we are investing in a powerful source for global development. Since its inception, WEPSS has empowered over 2,000 women.

“Each year, we strive to improve by taking on bigger projects to support more women and provide them with the tools they need to succeed,” Fiore said.

He emphasised that knowledge is power, and ambition is the driver urging the graduates to use the skills they have acquired to excel in the fashion industry, and always remember the importance of giving back to society.

“This marks the 11th graduation since WEPSS was established in 2013, bringing the total number of trained beneficiaries to 2,047. The program aims to empower 5,000 women over 20 years with skills in fashion design and tailoring,” the statement read in part.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of INTELS, Mr Pasquale Fiore highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering women and uplifting communities.

“We believe that when we invest in a woman, we are investing in a powerful source for global development. Since its inception, WEPSS has empowered over 2,000 women. Each year, we strive to improve by taking on bigger projects to support more women and provide them with the tools they need to succeed,” Fiore said.

According to Fiore, knowledge is power, and ambition is the driver urging the graduates to use the skills they have acquired to excel in the fashion industry and always remember the importance of giving back to society.

The Executive Director of Legal, Corporate Services, Contracts, and Compliance of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Amaopusenibo Epelle, urged the graduates to leverage their training for personal and professional growth.

“You have an opportunity to showcase your creativity and to become a role model for other women. Develop yourselves further, improve your collections, and make good use of the knowledge gained here,” Epelle said.

He commended INTELS’s commitment to community development, describing the company as a model for corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.

The WEPSS Project Manager, Nancy Freeborn, applauded the continuous support of INTELS leadership in sustaining the program highlighting how the initiative has transformed lives over the past 11 years.

“Many women have walked into this training centre with dreams and left empowered with skills to achieve them. Today, we celebrate 62 new success stories as they step into the world of fashion,” Freeborn said.

At the ceremony, 2024 best graduating trainee, Obarijima Lewa, was awarded N2m and a starter kit, which included an industrial sewing machine and a steam iron.

Starter kits were also presented to 15 other top-performing graduates.

With over 40 years of experience, INTELS is a leader in Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics sector, setting a benchmark for corporate responsibility and innovation in Africa.

Headquartered in Onne, Rivers State, INTELS is globally recognised as a benchmark for oil and gas logistics operations in Africa.

It offers state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure, and services to its clients.