Saturday July 05, 2025
By Ifiokabasi ABIA
Entrepreneurship remains a proven path to financial freedom, and value creation is the surest commander of wealth. It is in this spirit that the 2025 Akwa Ibom Youths and Women Summit (AYWES) is set to convene under the theme *“Export for Economic Growth and Recovery,”* aiming to onboard Akwa Ibom’s products and services into the global market.
The summit, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15th –16th, 2025, at the Technology Incubation Centre, Uyo, promises to unlock fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs to create jobs, manage enterprises efficiently, and expand wealth in the state.
Central to the discussions will enhance the quality, packaging, and market readiness of local products for international competitiveness.
Beyond the economic prospects, the event underscores the power of synergy when youths and women unite around shared goals. With global markets opening new revenue streams, many young people and women in Akwa Ibom stand to benefit significantly, including earning income in foreign currencies.
The vision behind AYWES is driven by Mrs. Affi Ibanga, convener of the summit and President of Happy Hour Connect Initiatives and the Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development Network. Her initiative seeks to empower participants with knowledge, networks, and practical skills to thrive in global trade.
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In alignment with the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, the summit aspires to transform participants from local entrepreneurs into global traders, thereby building a community of wealth creators and fostering transborder trade.
The event will feature prominent speakers, including Idongesit Essien, State Coordinator, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and Dr. Anie Iton; Prince Joseph Idiong, Director General of the Association of Nigerian Exporters; and Mrs. Iniobong Elshaddai, State Manager of the Technology Incubation Centre, Uyo, The host.
The sessions will be moderated by Amb. Ernest Essien.
As the popular maxim goes, “Don’t give me fish, teach me how to fish.” AYWES 2025 stands poised to equip a new generation with the tools to fish in the vast ocean of the global economy—ensuring no diligent hand lacks value to exchange for wealth.
