Mr Olawale Fasanya, the new Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has pledged to work with all stakeholders in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Fasanya, whose appointment as SMEDAN MD was recently approved By President Muhammadu Buhari, said this at the event to mark the 2022 World MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event is with the theme “Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for sustainable development at the forefront of building back better and stronger from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis and conflicts’’.
According to him, my pledge to work with all stakeholders in the MSME ecosystem is towards achieving the MSMEs sub-sector of our dream in Nigeria.
“It is important to emphasise that MSMEs require the support of all stakeholders more than ever before as they manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemics, conflicts and the climate crisis.
“As we celebrate MSMEs today, we call on all stakeholders in the public and private sectors and the international development partners to wholeheartedly support the growth, development and sustainability of MSMEs.
“This is critical towards achieving our desired goal of economic prosperity for all by way of job creation, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and food security,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Fasanya’s appointment which took effect from June 6, was contained in a letter dated June 23, 2022 and signed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.
He is a seasoned technocrat and a certified Business Development Advisor with a proven track record of landmark accomplishments of 35 years in the MSMEs ecosystem in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has appealed to government at all levels to ensure favourable operating environment that would enable its members thrive in businesses.
Dr Abdulrashid Yerima, National President and Chairman of Council of NASME, said this in his goodwill message at the ceremony of the 2022 MSME Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event is with the theme: “Resilience and Rebuilding: MSMEs for sustainable development at the forefront of building back better and stronger from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis and conflicts’’.
Represented by Dr Kabir Dasuki, NASME’s Deputy President (North), Yerima commend the efforts of SMEDAN, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment and other stakeholders in supporting the growth of MSMEs.
According to him, celebrating MSME’s is appropriate in view of the contributions to job creation and the growth of the country’s economy.
“It is important to recognise the contributions of this sector to the overall development of the economy through job creation, income generation, poverty alleviation just to mention a few.
“The theme for this year’s MSME Day is apt at this time when MSMEs are at the center of contributing to inclusive growth, combating inequalities and building back better and stronger, especially during these challenge times.
“As a leading voice in the MSME space of the Nigerian economy, NASME will continue to advocate for favourable operating environment,’’ Yerima said.
