*Distributes Vulcanizing Machines, Sewing Machines, Hairdressing Kits, Other Items
Towards creating jobs for millions of Nigerians, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) on Monday received "Implementation Strategies Towards The Creation of Jobs and Lifting People Out of Extreme Poverty"
It was received by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Nura Abba Rimi in Abuja.
The Implementation Strategic document was presented by the consultant, Myris International Ltd,
The Permanent Secretary said "This Initiative is in line with Mr. President's Renewed Hope Agenda to maximize the contribution of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to the national economy and propose efficient measures for job creation and poverty alleviation through the promotion of the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
"Today's event therefore is one step towards the implementation of this document, which provides practical footprints to broadening the employment net to meaningfully engage in wealth generation activities.
"These areas broadly include economic policies and infrastructural development, education and skills development, technology and innovation, agriculture and rural development, healthcare and wellbeing, social programme and inclusion, international collaboration and trade, amongst others.
"In the coming days, the Ministry will be engaging with the relevant stakeholders identified in the Strategy Document to ensure that the potential employment and wealth creation loops are activated to guarantee timely delivery jobs under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
"I also wish to state here, that the employment being anticipated by this Strategy Document and being pursued vigorously by the FMITI include but not limited to skilled and informal sector-based." he said
According to him, nations, worldwide, have continued to depend on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for the bulk of the employment needs of their citizenry.
He added "Nigeria is not an exception if it must grow its economy sustainably. This therefore is a deliberate effort by the Government and all stake holders, to provide the enabling environment for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to thrive in a sustainable manner.
"To reinforce this position, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as part of this programme will be distributing some skills acquisition items, to selected beneficiaries, to empower them to create wealth for their households and contribute to the national economy. These items include inverter welding machines, vulcanising machines, industrial sewing machines, and hairdressing kits.
"On this note, I hereby officially receive the Implementation Strategy Document towards creating jobs and lifting people out of extreme poverty," he stated.
Giving an overview of the strategies, the consultant represented by Engineer Godwin Edeh, said the document will go a long way to help deal with a lot of the challenges facing Nigerians and in turn lift them out of poverty.
"If our living standard is really enhanced, it will go a long way," he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the President, National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (NASME), Yerima Abdullahi, confirmed that the programme is real as members are already receiving the items unlike under previous administrations where such items announced are never received.
The President of the Association, who was represented by the the Chairman of the Benue State chapter of NASME, Gadaffi Asemanya, said "It was when your own came that we started registering people because they know it is real. A lot of people thought it was the normal 419 by the past administrations. In the past, items disappear before they get to us"
Thanking President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he said, the items will help to take away people from negative jobs like prostitution and other antisocial vices.
He urged other Ministries and parastatals to emulate the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment and do something to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, commended the Minister and the Permanent Secretary for the great initiative coming at the right time to address the downturn in the economy.
"I encourage other agencies and Ministries to stand up to be counted. Let us all go back to the drawing board and see how we can all contribute" she stated.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the items by the Permanent Secretary to some beneficiaries, including Vulcanizing Machines, Sewing Machines, Hairdressing Kits, among others.