The Participants
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN says it will continue to support Entrepreneurs across the nation to enable them achieve the goals of poverty alleviation and wealth creation.
The Director General of the Agency Mr. Olawale Fasanya gave the assurance in Owerri during the opening of the National Business Skills and Development Initiative organized for youths in Imo state.
He said ninety youths were selected in Imo state to undergo training on business management, and skill acquisition and in the end get empowered with the necessary equipment to prosecute their vocation.
Mr. Fasanya who was represented by a Deputy Director in the Agency Mrs. Chibuzo Osuoha explained that the programme which started in 2020 had enhanced youth engagement in productive ventures, thereby ensuring they earn income through filling artisanal gaps as jobs meant for Nigerians are no longer given to foreigners.
“Ninety persons are to benefit, that cut across fashion design, laundry services, and car wash so the participants have been grouped into these three according to their choice and then they will be taken through these skill areas so that they will be empowered and after then they will start their own businesses”.
The commissioner for commerce and Industry comrade Simon Ebegbulam represented by Mrs. Eucharia Onwukwe noted that the initiative had added value to business development in the state and called on the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Some of the participants in an interview commended the government for the initiative and promised to take advantage of the opportunity to better their lots.
Reporting by Chinazo Ilechukwu, editing by Daniel Adejo