The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Olawale Fasanya, said that 3,330 entrepreneurs in the country would be empowered with business equipments.
Fasanya revealed this on Tuesday during the official inauguration ceremony of the National Skill Development Initiative (NBSDI) held in Katsina.
Represented by the Director, Business Skill Development and Promotions of the agency, Mr Monday Ewans, the director-general said that the programme was being implemented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said altogether 3,330 entrepreneurs would be impacted with entrepreneur and vocational skills, as well as empowerment materials to the tune of 90 per cent of their required needs.
“As at today, similar programme is commencing simultaneously in all the states within the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.
“Katsina State was chosen specifically for the official flag-off off ceremony in the zone in view of the state’s strategic support for Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) within the zone.
“At the end of the programme, the participants would have acquired improved knowledge on business practice and service delivery, increased access to finance, equipment and other business resources, among others” he said.
Fasanya pointed out that SMEDAN created NBSDI in an effort to aid MSMEs in a practical manner. This initiative aims to equip artisans with tools and teach them business and vocational skills.
He explained that the program would give young artisans who had received their training locally better professional expertise, which would prevent job losses for immigrants from nearby nations.
