The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has provided start-up kits to some persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, announced this on Friday in Abuja.
ODI said the empowerment was done under the agency's National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI).
He reiterated the federal government's commitment to ensuring an inclusive government that will leave no one behind, especially the youth, women and the disabled.
It was reported that at least 55 persons were trained in the Federal Capital Territory and awarded certificates and start-up kits.
Of these, 35 participants who took training in fashion designing got industrial machines and 10 participants who took training in catering got a mixer, gas cylinder and an industrial oven.
The participants undergoing training in leather work were also equipped with the machines required for their business.
This training is expected to run simultaneously across 13 states of the federation, with 55 participants in each state, giving a total of 715 participants empowered by SMEDAN.
The SMEDAN boss also said the government recognizes the importance of small businesses in national development and will do everything possible to support them.
He said: “India and China transformed their economies because they focused on people like you, small businesses.
“This administration, we are not pretending to be for SME development, and that is why we are doing all this today and planning to do much more.
“We understand that times are challenging, so what we have done is reduce the cost of acquiring this knowledge and skills and the cost of acquiring the equipment.”
He further urged them not to sell the kits given to them but use them and ensure to empower others around them to create more employment for Nigerians.
Odi said: “55 people were trained. If each participant employs only five persons in the next six months, this training alone will create 275 more jobs.
“When you create jobs, you will reduce the high rates of violence in our society.
“So, do your part, put into action the knowledge you have acquired and we will support you.
“The Minister has also made a commitment, and I will hold him to it, that as many people create jobs and employ people, I will make sure they get more support, that's the only way we can stop poverty Are.”
He charged them to be good ambassadors of the agency by creating more jobs and publicizing the good work being done by the government to reduce unemployment and insecurity in the country.
He also called for greater collaboration locally and internationally to enable the agency to reach more states and more Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Youth, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, who presented items and certificates to the participants, urged them to ensure that they become employers of labour.
He said, “If we are determined, 55 people can transform this country.”
“So, each of you should try to train at least 10 others before the next six months.
“Imagine what a multiplier effect that would be if every person you trained trained five additional people?
“And there will be a reward for participants who are able to do so,” Olawande said.
He stressed the importance of every Nigerian youth acquiring at least two skills rather than waiting or relying on white collar jobs.
He said: “If a productive youth had two or more skills, we would be much further ahead than where we are today.
“Furthermore, it would be a crime for any local government in this country not to have products to sell to the public. Every state should start producing something or the other.
For example, if 18 local governments in Ondo State are producing something and exchanging it with other local governments, before you know it, they will be exchanging with different states.
“So, we are moving towards ‘no skills, no nature and no product, no nature’, and that is why we want to partner with SMEDAN to work towards building a better nation. Are here.”
Mr. Adero Umar, an awardee from the PWD community, thanked SMEDAN and the government for the opportunity provided to be a part of the training.
Omar said: “I am happy for this opportunity and the material in leather work that I have got today.
“I will not beg on the streets because I have acquired a skill and will be able to not only start my own shoe business but also employ people like me to join their businesses.”
Also, Aashiru Abdullahi, another PWD and already a fashion designer, thanked the agency, saying that the industrial sewing machine she received will enable her to expand her business.
Caterer Miss Okeogheni Akeva said she was happy to have the opportunity to learn the skills and was also excited about the kits.
“Even though we were told that we would be given things, it was still a surprise for me and I am very happy.
“I thank the agency and the federal government and pray that they have the means to continue the program so that more people can benefit from it.
(NAN)
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