The Federal government through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has shortlisted no fewer than 3,330 entrepreneurs for empowerment in Katsina State.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Olawale Fasanya said that the programme was being implemented in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking during the official inauguration ceremony of the National Skill Development Initiative ((NBSDI) held in Katsina, on Tuesday, Fasanya disclosed that 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.
Represented by the Director, Business Skill Development and Promotions of the agency, Mr Monday Ewans, the director-general said that 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 noted that it was in a bid to support MSMEs in a practical way that SMEDAN developed NBSDI aimed at providing entrepreneurship and vocational skills, as well as providing equipment to the artisans.
He further explained that the initiative would provide more professional knowledge to locally trained young artisans which would lead to a reduction in job losses to immigrants from neighbouring countries.
