-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-UTEH:

PRISCA UGHELLI trained in Fashion Design and Tailoring and was established in the 2017/2018 cycle of the Delta State Government’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme as a Brown STEP beneficiary. She hails from Udu Local Government Area. She is a Business Administration graduate, but now the CEO of P & G Fashion Houze, Warri.

Three years after establishment, Prisca has bought four manual sewing machines and trained five persons. Currently, she has three trainees. She has a fashion outlet at Ekete-Inland being managed by one of her graduated trainees. She shares her experience.

“I am enjoying the fashion life. The starter pack was a boost to my shop as it placed me on a higher class above my competitors. It added glamour to my brand as most of them do not have industrial machines and a generator in my area. Any client who comes to my shop feels comfortable doing business with me.

“I have diversified into transportation and foodstuff business. I bought an ‘Okowa bus’ with ₦1.2M, from which the driver remits ₦25,000.00 weekly. I established the foodstuff business with ₦500,000.00. I was able to raise the funds through a cooperative society I belong to and from savings from my fashion business, especially the money realized from the production of facemasks. I am now married and blessed with a child.

“The programme changed my life. I could afford to acquire a skill, but the challenge was how to establish. Job creation bureau made it easier for me. I am a testifier. I am no longer in the labour market. I no longer engage myself in menial jobs. I am now financially independent.”