Ninety makeup, fashion designers and laundry entrepreneurs in Ogun State have been empowered by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Mr Olawale Fasanya while speaking at the closing ceremony of the five-day National business skills development initiative in Abeokuta said the aim of the programme was to eradicate poverty and reduce the unemployment rate in the country.
Mr. Fasanya, who was represented by the Chief Enterprise officer of SMEDAN, Mrs Funto Babaride, explained that the support to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises was a practical way of reducing the poverty level which the agency developed through the National Business Skills Development Initiative.
He said the Initiative was a programme designed to provide entrepreneurship skills and empowerment materials to fill the capacity gap among the youth.
Mr. Fasanya stated that the programme would as well enhance youth engagement in productive ventures as they earn income by being productive.
Director of Industrial promotion at the Ogun State Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment Mr Kehinde Akintomide in a remark commended the Federal government and SMEDAN for their continuous support in vocational and entrepreneurial development to Medium and Small entrepreneurs in the state.
He advised the beneficiaries not to dispose the equipment given to them.
Ogun State Manager of SMEDAN, Mr Abiodun Awoniyi, while speaking noted that the 90 beneficiaries were trained and enlightened on entrepreneurial skills in achieving a profitable business stating that the skills learnt and the equipment to enable the beneficiaries to empower others, create jobs and equally create wealth that will further impact the nation at large.
Some of the beneficiaries while speaking with Radio Nigeria promised to make judicious use of the empowerment as it will add value to their lives.
About 3,330 entrepreneurs are expected to receive the skills and empowerment materials across the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Sixty-nine fashion designers in Ogun state got industrial sewing machines, 12 makeup artists received makeup box tools while 10 beneficiaries involve in laundry services got 10 washing machines and ironing equipment.
Wale Oluokun
