An Aba based entrepreneur who was among the 30 Shoemakers sent to China by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to learn automated shoemaking, Ms Nora Onwuasonya has emerged winner of the star prize for female entrepreneurs at the 2019 MSME awards organized by the Presidency.
Nora who abandoned her studies as a medical student to follow her shoemaking passion produces unique shoes and umbrellas using Ankara fabrics. Currently, she is piloting a program of recycling used tyres for side tables and relaxation garden seats.
The Isiala Ngwa South born lady who. received a brand new Hyundai Car, one million naira cash gift, a laptop and opportunity for interest free loan to support her business from the organizers of the award, expressed appreciation to God, her parents and the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for supporting her to emerge as winner of the award.
Speaking to newsmen after the award ceremony last night in Abuja, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, thanked the organizers for recognizing the ingenuity of the average Abia and Nigerian youth and assured that his administration will continue to focus on entrepreneurship development to support his job creation agenda.
According to him, “We are proud of Abia youths who have continued to demonstrate their capacity to lead the way through entrepreneurship in our job creation agenda. Our commitment is to support them hone their skills as well as provide the platform for them to be globally competitive. That is why we are getting set to commission the first automated shoemaking factory at Aba for those who trained in China to lead the way in our plan to introduce automation in shoemaking.”
