The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), operated by APM Terminals Nigeria, has marked a significant milestone in its community development efforts with the graduation of over 500 participants from its flagship capacity-building initiative, ‘WACTpreneur.’
The ceremony, held recently, celebrated beneficiaries from the Onne and Ogu host communities, consisting predominantly of women and a few men.
‘WACTpreneur’ is an entrepreneurship and business management programme aimed at equipping community members with the skills required to launch, manage and sustain successful enterprises. Organised in structured batches, the initiative reflects WACT’s commitment to one of its core Corporate Social Responsibility pillars—training and development.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Managing Director of WACT–APM Terminals Nigeria, Jeethu Jose, expressed the company’s vision for long-term impact within the host communities.
He noted that WACTpreneur represents more than just training, describing it as an investment in the future. He said his dream was for WACT to be present in every heart and home within the community, and assured the audience that the company’s collaboration with its host communities would continue to grow.
Senior People Business Partner at WACT–APM Terminals Nigeria, Chinelo Obienyem, spoke about the tangible benefits of the programme. She explained that the participants had acquired crucial skills necessary for navigating the complexities of small business management.
The six-month intensive training and mentorship covered a wide range of topics, including merchandising, customer relations, supply chain management, record-keeping, credit sales, sources of finance, business integrity and cash flow management.
She encouraged the graduates to apply these lessons in their ventures, thereby contributing to economic development and job creation in their communities.
Vice Chairperson of Ogu/Bolo, Christiana Tamunobereton-Ari, praised the programme’s impact on local livelihoods.
She said the participants had not just been given fish but had been taught how to fish, urging them to make full use of the skills they had acquired.
She reassured WACT of the community’s commitment to multiplying the value imparted through the initiative.
Chairman of Onne Community Development Committee, Sunday Dudu, also commended WACT for its ongoing contributions to the community.
He said that WACT had become synonymous with development in Onne, with several impactful projects currently in progress.
Community Relations Manager at WACT–APM Terminals Nigeria, Justin Okwuofu, reflected on the origins and progress of the programme.
He explained that following a needs assessment conducted in collaboration with members of the community, the need to strengthen business management capacity was identified. In response, the WACTpreneur initiative was launched in 2023 as a six-month training and mentorship scheme. Since its inception, three batches have successfully completed the programme, with over 500 people graduating in the most recent cohort. Owing to growing interest and visible improvements in local businesses, preparations are already underway for a new phase.
The WACTpreneur programme highlights WACT’s enduring commitment to sustainable community empowerment through practical, long-term solutions. In addition to this initiative, WACT–APM Terminals Nigeria has continued to support its host communities through various development efforts. These include the donation of a 10 KVA solar power system to local primary healthcare centres, the training of over 500 women in business development, the training of more than 1,500 women in Rivers State in the production of sanitary pads, the awarding of scholarships and the execution of several infrastructure projects.
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