A non-governmental organization, Leadership Challenge Foundation, has called on government at all levels to improve the welfare of artisans in the country and uplift their self-worth.
Executive Director of the Foundation, Dr Joy Success Ikpe, made the call in a chat with journalists at the sidelines of the 2026 Artisans Conference and Exhibition held in Port Harcourt.
“I will like to encourage the government of the day to partner and collaborate with NGOs like us that have the concerns of these artisans at heart to see how they can bring them out of low self esteem, boost their self ego, make them understand that they are also important in our eco-system,” she said.
She advised artisans to strive towards excellence by regularly upgrading their skills and ensure they get certification for optimal performance.
“We encourage them to always try to get certified, always try to up-skill, always understand what time it is around them and understand that in this era of technology, they need to do a whole lot in partnership with institutions that will certify them, NGOs like us that will train them and encourage them to be the best they can be,” she said.
Cabral Angereke, chairman of the event and area manager, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), hailed the Leadership Challenge Foundation for the initiative of bringing artisans together through the conference.
He advised the artisans to leverage on the ITF platform to get professional certification that would help boost their businesses.
Prof Ogechi Adeola, BOT chairman, LCF, represented by Nnenna Sam-Okoro, encouraged the artisans to keep improving their skills for greater results.
Prof. Mrs Cynthia Amaka Obiorah,
Founder, Hope Aglow Charity Foundation , stressed the essence of team work and urged artisans to network and partner with organizations that have capacity to boost their businesses.
Dr Mrs Patricia Ogbonnaya, a member of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), enjoined artisans to maintain high self esteem, knowing that their work makes them very important in the society.
Comrade Hero Jack, National president, Rivers State Artisans, thanked organizers of the conference, Leadership Challenge Foundation for supporting artisans.
Guest of Honour, Alabo Engr Austin Bob-Manuel, General Manager, Oil Serve Ltd, advised the artisans to leverage on available opportunities such as the conference to improve their skills and businesses.
Keynote Speaker, Engr Prof. Bourdilion Omueh, former Director, Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering, UniPort, urged artisans to acquire digital skills or risk losing their relevance in the near future.
Ruhuoma Kejeh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Rivers State, represented by Tariah-Damiete Boma, assured the Rivers State Government’s commitment to supporting artisans in the state.
