By Anthonia Ihinosen Mowah
For three days, rural women from the far corners of Delta State left their farms, workshops, and market stalls — gathering with one goal in mind: to change the story of their businesses and their lives.
It was no ordinary training. Under the banner of the MORE CAP-UP Project, the Wife of the Governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, in partnership with the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMEDA), set in motion a bold initiative to equip women in the creative industry with the skills, knowledge, and seed grants they need to thrive.
From the bustling halls of the Felix Ibru Secretariat in Asaba to the busy Isoko South Council Secretariat in Oleh, and down to Ughelli in Delta Central, women from rural communities gathered, shared their struggles, and learned the secrets of building businesses that last.
“This is not just training,” said Hon. Pat Ajudua, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, who represented the Governor’s wife. “You are the women chosen to lead change in your communities. Grow your businesses. Become role models. Inspire others.”
For Dr. Godwin Adolor, DEMSMEDA’s Executive Secretary and lead trainer, it was about more than handing out money. “Financial empowerment is important, but without the right knowledge and discipline, it doesn’t last. We’re giving you the tools to create businesses that will outlive you — and employ others,” he told participants.
There were lessons on financial literacy, marketing, and innovation. Financial consultant, Mr. Charles Ojakovo, hammered home the value of integrity, creativity, and resilience. “Don’t gamble with your business. Avoid reckless investments. Stay within the law. Build on trust — it’s your strongest currency,” he advised.
By the final day, the mood had shifted. Many came in as small-time traders and artisans; they left with bigger dreams and the confidence to chase them. “Before now, I didn’t know how to manage my money properly,” one participant from Oleh confessed, “but now, I see a future where my children will work for me — not the other way around.”
For Deaconess Oborevwori, this was only the beginning. The MORE CAP-UP Project will move from community to community, planting seeds of enterprise where they are needed most.
And for the women who walked away clutching not just certificates, but new ideas and determination, the journey ahead is no longer uncertain — it is wide open.