By Longtong Ibrahim
In its effort to alleviating poverty, expanding gainful employment opportunities and wealth creation, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with beneficiaries of One Local Government One Product (OLOP) Initiative of the Federal government.
Five clusters of small business groups were selected for the piloted program. They are: Bee Keepers Development Association (Kaduna state), Godwin Gari Processing Kilankwa 2 (FCT), Edokanma Ichida Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd – Palm Produce (Anambra state), Kayauki Kilishi Bolagarawa Multipurpose Cooperative Society (Katsina state) and Potatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (Ogun State).
Speaking during the signing of the MoU recently in Kaduna – northwest Nigeria, the Director General of the SMEDAN, Dikko Umaru Radda, said small and medium enterprises are the engine that drives economic development.
According to him, the training is aimed at encouraging small and medium business to turn around the nation’s economy especially in the area of Agric business and to reduce rural-urban migration.
“world over, it is a known fact that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the engines that drives economic development, hence every serious nation must take their development as top priority.
“In view of the forgoing, I am delighted to inform you that this initiative is dear to SMEDAN and the success of this pilot run will determine the future of the program.
“Already plans are concluded to extend the program to 109 clusters located to cut across the country,” he noted.
While urging the beneficiaries to utilize the opportunities granted unto them, he said the multiplier effect of the initiative on the economy cannot be overestimated, especially with the current recession in the economy and current drive of the federal government to enhance the competitiveness of the non-oil sector.
