EBONYI
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has begun a five-day training and empowerment for 90 women and youth in Ebonyi on entrepreneurship skills.
It would be reported that the on-going training is under the SMEDAN’s National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI).
Mr Olawale Fasanya, Director-General of the Agency, said at the official opening of the training on Tuesday in Abakaliki that the programme was being implemented in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Fasanya , represented by Monday Ewans, Director of Enterprise and Development Promotions, SMEDAN, said trianing was to empower and promote busimess skills in the country.
The Director-General noted that the 90 participants in Ebonyi were drawn from the 13 local government areas of the state.
He said the programme was also to support the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the most practical way across states of the federation.
According to Fasanya, the programme is in three parts: entrepreneurship, vocational skills and empowerment.
“The major focus are on GSM Repairing, Tailoring, Catering, hairdressing, makeup amongst others.
“After the training, the participants wil be empowered with equipment and materials to start their chosen businesses and improve on it
“The participant will be impacted with entrepreneurship Skills, vocafional SKills and empowerment materials.
“In South East geo-polifical zone, a tofal of 450 Entrepreneurs will be impacted. In Ebonyi, 90 persons are engaged in fashion, leather works and GSM repairs,” he added.
The Director-General appreciated the State Government support, under the visionary leadership of Governor David Umahi.
Mrs Ann Aligwe, the state Commissioner for Human Development commended the federal government for putting up the entrepreneur skills programme.
Aligwe urged the trainees to be focused in order to build and improve their business skills.
On business development, the Commissioner urged the federal government to deepen campaign in all states to improve job creations.
“We need mega empowerment package; the government should do more by increasing numbers of participants in any training for Ebonyi people,” she advised.
One of the beneficiaries, Mariah Onwukwe, lauded SMEDAN for exposing them to modern skills for business and pledged to utilised all she would learn.