At M&G Etomi Foundation, we marked another milestone in our journey to break the cycle of poverty in the Niger Delta. Our skills acquisition programme, running since 2007, has now trained 4,043 individuals, equipping them with practical skills to build livelihoods of their own.
We celebrated our eighth graduation ceremony on Friday, 10 July 2026, in Port Harcourt, where 28 new beneficiaries received start-up packs including sewing machines, gas cookers, and laptops.
Our co-founder, Barr. George Etomi, reflected on why the programme began in the first place. Oil bunkering had disrupted fishing, a major source of livelihood in the region, leaving many residents without a way to earn a living.
“In those days, after graduation, you could go fishing or further your education. Fishing was a thing of pride. So when we saw what was happening, we decided to see how we could help people instead of getting angry.”
Barr. Etomi noted that the programme maintains a 90 percent success rate among its beneficiaries and runs a full-year training curriculum.
“If God allows us, we will lift as many people as possible out of poverty.”
Our other co-founder, Dr. Mike Etomi, joined the ceremony virtually from the United States. He spoke on the continued importance of skill acquisition in today’s economy and commended our Executive Director, Mrs. Ibifama Walaku-Saya, for sustaining the programme through the cashless era.
In her remarks, Walaku-Saya reaffirmed the foundation’s mission.
“Every year, we celebrate the success of our entrepreneurs.”
We were honoured to have Senator John Azuta Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, join us at the event and commend the foundation’s work in the region.
Hearing from our beneficiaries remains the highlight of these ceremonies. Maxwell Adoki, one of this year’s graduates, shared what the programme has meant to him.
“In my prayers, I remember MGE Foundation every single morning.”
We also continue to grow our reach beyond trades and technical fields, through our partnership with the Bishop Abere School of Music, which trains students in music alongside our core skills programme.
📸 Want to relive the moments from the ceremony? View the full photo gallery from the event here: 2026 Graduation Gallery.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact. To every graduate, we say: go forth, create, and carry the torch of transformation into your communities.
Together, we are building a future of self-reliance, dignity, and opportunity.
