INTELS Nigeria Limited, a longstanding leader in oil and gas logistics, has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment with the graduation of 62 trainees from its 2025 Women Empowerment Project Scheme Synergy (WEPSS). The ceremony took place at the Rosa Volpi Women Development Centre within the Federal Lighter Terminal at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State, celebrating the achievements of women equipped to launch sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to local economies.
Launched in 2013 as part of INTELS’ corporate social responsibility initiatives, WEPSS was originally designed to train 5,000 women in tailoring and fashion design over 20 years. The scheme was expanded in 2017 to reach a wider section of the company’s host communities. Over the years, it has provided thousands of women, many from low-income backgrounds, with the skills, confidence, and resources to build viable businesses, increase household income, and support local economic growth.
Speaking at the event, INTELS Managing Director, Pasquale Fiore, described WEPSS as a cornerstone of the company’s community partnership model. He emphasised the company’s commitment to equipping women with the tools to attain financial independence. “We firmly believe that when women thrive, communities thrive. Our vision for WEPSS has always been to do more than train; we want to create opportunities for lasting prosperity. That is why, in 2022, we enhanced the programme by awarding fully equipped shop facilities to the best graduates. Excellence, hard work, and commitment will always be recognised,” he said.
Fiore highlighted the success stories emerging from previous cohorts. Many alumnae have now established thriving businesses, some employing others and expanding beyond their initial expectations. He praised the resilience of the 2025 trainees and announced that the top 15 graduates would receive starter kits to launch their enterprises.
WEPSS Project Coordinator, Nancy Freeborn, stressed the broader social impact of the initiative, noting that it has enabled women in Rivers State to contribute to family welfare and community development rather than depend solely on others.
She expressed gratitude to INTELS’ management for sustaining the programme for over a decade and highlighted its innovative approaches, including the Train-the-Trainer Scheme and partnerships with the Fashion Experience Festival and Private Broadway Shows, which provide students with exposure to broader creative and commercial opportunities in fashion.
At the ceremony, the 2025 Best Graduating Trainee, Saraphina Jacob, received two million naira and a starter kit including an industrial sewing machine and a steam iron. She expressed her commitment to building a sustainable fashion business that would make both INTELS and her community proud. The 2024 Best Graduating Trainee, Obarijima Lewa, was presented with the keys to a fully equipped shop to launch her career in fashion design, describing the gift as life-changing and a platform for growth beyond imagination. Other outstanding graduates also received starter kits to support their entrepreneurial journeys.
The event attracted stakeholders from the Oil and Gas Free Zone, government representatives, and community leaders, underscoring the programme’s significance.
Beyond WEPSS, INTELS continues to impact national development through infrastructure projects, scholarships, health programmes, and vocational training initiatives. With over four decades of operational excellence, the company has established itself as a global reference point for oil and gas logistics in Africa, blending innovation, world-class infrastructure, and a strong culture of corporate responsibility.
