By CHARLES IWUOHA

A female shoemaker based in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Sharon Ijuolachi Akpa, has announced plans to host a one-week open space shoemaking project aimed at empowering youths and encouraging self-reliance.

The free shoe making event will also be used as an avenue to train interested Nigerian Youths training, which will run from Wednesday, September 24 to September 30, will hold at Tropicana Restaurant, 21 Aloh Street, behind Green Park, Abakaliki.

Akpa said the project is designed to give young people practical skills in shoemaking while also donating most of the footwear produced during the marathon to schools.

“What if I tell you that you can learn the basics of shoemaking in just one week for free? This is my own way of showing you how far you can go as a skilled professional. It’s about sharing my journey with others and inspiring them to become self-reliant,” she said.

She explained that her shoemaking journey began during her National Youth Service year and has since grown into a business that also enabled her to start a restaurant.

“I want to encourage the youths, especially young girls, to take to shoemaking. I came out of the university and started this journey. Today, shoemaking has made me self-reliant and even birthed another business,” Akpa added.

The shoemaker noted that the project also seeks to challenge gender stereotypes by encouraging more girls to venture into crafts traditionally dominated by men.

The one week open space shoemaking project will provide participants with hands-on training, opportunities to connect with peers, and inspiration to pursue creativity as a path to independence.