By Martins Abochol


The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) has begun the training of 90 unemployed youths in fashion, leather work and hair dressing in Taraba.


The Director-General of the agency, Mr Olawale Fasanya said this at the opening of the National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI) programme  in Jalingo on Monday.


He said that the programme is aimed at supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in a most practical way.


Fasanya was represented by Dr Funto Babarinde, Head of Enterprises in the agency.


He said the agency had developed the programme to provide entrepreneurship and vocational skills as well as the provision of empowerment materials to fill the capacity gap of the youths.


Fasanya also said the programme was designed to enhance youths engagement in productive ventures.


According to him, the initiatives will bequeath the youth with the capacity to earn income through filling the artisan gap in Nigeria, adding that the programme had been implemented in the 36 states and the FCT.


He said a total of 3,330 entrepreneurs had been impacted with entrepreneurship and vocational skills, and empowerment equipment at the rate of 90 per state and the FCT.


The director general said the agency expected an improved business management practices, improved service provision by trained artisans would be achieved.


He said that there would be an increase in finance, equipment and other business resources as well as formalised artisanal businesses.


Fasanya advised participants to take the training serious as a window of opportunities to end poverty and unemployment.


Mr Solomon Musa, a participant, commended the gesture, adding it would go a long way in impacting positively to the lives of the Nigerian youth.


Also speaking, Miss Halima Inuwa, described the initiative as a great strategy for reducing youth restiveness in the state and the country at large.

NAN