BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria says it has developed programmes to fast track the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
The Director General of the agency, Dikko Radda, stated this at the launch of this year’s SMEDAN talent hunt held in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The programme is reportedly targeted at discovering talented young Nigerians who are capable of distinguishing themselves in the fabrication of indigenous agro-processing equipment for industrial development.
The Director General of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Radda, represented on the occasion by the Director, Partnership and Coordination Department, Dr Friday Okpara, stated that COVID-19 pandemic presented Nigeria with opportunity to diversify its economy through promotion of fabrication of industrial machines.
He stated that the programme targets 210 participants selected from the South-East, North-Central and North-East geo-political zones of the country while the best six would be provided with grants and linkage to industrialists.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development in Ebonyi State, Dr Steve Odo, observed that the participants had what it takes to become future drivers of industry in the country.
Some of the participants said that they were convinced that the programme would reduce poverty among the youths in the country.
