Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, has empowered tertiary institution students from Kogi Central with multipurpose business carts, while also launching a free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration for 2,500 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the district.
This initiative is part of her ongoing effort to drive innovation and impact the lives of underprivileged students, market women, and business owners from Kogi Central. Through the empowerment program, these beneficiaries can now register their businesses with the CAC at no cost, further encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The business carts distributed are designed to foster self-employment and economic independence among the students, equipping them with the tools needed to start and sustain profitable ventures. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on government assistance while easing the burdens of unemployment in the community.
During the event, Senator Natasha emphasized the importance of business registration for legal recognition, access to loans, and government or private sector grants. “Before becoming a political reformer, I have always advocated for self-reliance and skills for sustainable development,” she stated, urging business owners to understand the ecosystem of entrepreneurship.
The CAC team, led by Mr. Bello Muftahu, from the CAC FCT Zonal Office, carried out on-the-spot business registrations, presenting certificates to beneficiaries. The program will continue across all five local government areas of Kogi Central, covering the registration costs for 2,500 SMEs, which would have typically amounted to ₦27.5 million.
The multipurpose business carts, handed over to the National Association of Ebira Students (NAES), include tools for barbing, solar-powered devices, and more, while the clean cooking kiosks are equipped with gas cylinders, industrial cooking burners, grilling equipment, and storage facilities.
With this initiative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to champion sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment for Kogi Central’s youth and small business owners.
