SMEDAN flags-off talent hunt programme to encourage job creation
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on Wednesday commenced a talent hunt programme aimed at encouraging young entrepreneurs to create job opportunities for the youths.
The agency’s Director-General, Dr Dikko Radda, performed the flag-off ceremony of the programme tagged “Light Manufacturing” in Abakaliki.
Radda, represented by Dr Friday Okpara, Director of Partnership and Coordination Department of the agency, said the programme is aimed at discovering young persons with business ideas in agro-processing equipment fabrication.
He said that 210 participants were selected from states across the country for the programme and grouped under three zones – South-East, North-Central and North-East.
He explained that the focus on light manufacturing in 2021 edition of the programme, was a strategy to further fast track the commitment of President Mohammadu Bihari to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
“The participants underwent stages of screening and are expected to pitch their ideas to the panel of judges for evaluation and subsequent selection of the best six,” Radda said.
The event for the south-east zone brought together young Nigerians from 11 states, including Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Imo and Abia, among others.
The Director-General added that the talent hunt was geared towards discovering innovative young Nigerians in the fabrication of indigenous agro-processing equipment.
“It is for employment generation through wealth creation and self-reliance, thereby reducing poverty among young people in Nigeria.
“The programme is running concurrently in three locations, Bauchi, Kwara and Ebonyi states.
“The winner in each state will go home with various cash prizes as well as capacity building and further linkages to relevant MDAs for protection of their intellectual poverty,” Radda said.
In his remark, Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, represented by Dr. Stephen Odo, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, thanked SMEDAN for organising the programme in the state.
“I see this talent hunt as a call towards changing the economic dynamics of our nation.
“I want to assure you that Ebonyi State Government is going to work with you, especially the winners, and all other participants to assist in every area the need may arise,” Umahi added.
A participant, Isaac Igbofone from Bayelsa, commended the Federal Government for its policies on youth empowerment.
“I thank government for giving us the opportunity. I believe that everyone here is talented and I hope to emerge winner,” he said.
