From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, said his administration has domesticate National Policy on Nano Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The move is to ensure sustainable economic growth and job creation.
Governor Radda revealed these while addressing government officials, entrepreneurs and industry actors at the unveiling and presentation of Katsina State nMSME and graduation of 217 employability projects.
Radda who inferred from his wealth of experience while serving as the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), reiterated the state’s commitment to economic growth.
“Katsina State is the first in the country to domesticate the national policy on MSMEs and develop our own Katsina State nMSME Policy,” Radda said.
According to him, the policy will, God willing, be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The governor mandates quarterly reviews of the implementation plan by the state MSME council and the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), with progress reports to be submitted directly to his office.
He congratulated the graduates of the six-week intensive training program, pointing out that the skills they acquired, including web development, social media and email marketing, graphics and product design, and entrepreneurial development, will assist them in self-reliance.
He encourages the graduates to use their newfound skills to contribute meaningfully to society.
In the same vein, the governor acknowledged the collaborative efforts of KASEDA, LEAPWORLD, and the Centre for Enterprise Training and Policy Initiatives (CETAPI) in delivering the successful program.
He called upon development partners, stakeholders, and business leaders to continue supporting such initiatives, “collaboration is key to achieving sustainable growth,” The governor said.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State and the Chairman State nMSME Council, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, explained that the nMSME Policy is designed in alignment with the National Policy on MSMEs and guided by the Katsina State Development Plan (SDP) 2024-2043 framework, the Strategic Plan of Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA) and other sectorial development policies.
“Governor Radda has recognized the critical role that MSMEs play in driving innovation, job creation and economic resilience; hence the need for a policy to guide the activities of the sub-sector,” Jobe explained.
On her part, the Director General of Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA), Hajja Aisha Aminu, shares the achievements of the agency, saying, “Within one year of existence, we have been able to organize, capacity building for pioneer staff; launching of Dikko BDS Corp; Training of Dikko BDS Corp Identification; Selection and Needs Assesment of Businesses with GrAssessmentntials.”
On the employability project, Hajia Aisha explained that the initiative is tailored towards giving youth the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.
