By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced that Katsina State is the first in Nigeria to domesticate the National Policy on Nano Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (nMSMEs), as the state graduated 217 young entrepreneurs from the Katsina State Employability Project.
Governor Radda revealed these milestones while addressing government officials, entrepreneurs and industry actors at Unveiling and Presentation of Katsina State nMSME and Graduation of 217 Employability Project Participation held at Bello Kofar Bai Conference Hall.
Governor 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.
He stated that, “Katsina State is the first in the country to domesticate the National Policy on MSMEs and develop our own Katsina State nMSME Policy.
This policy will, God willing, be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and job creation.”
The Governor mandated 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.
Congratulating the graduates of the six-week intensive training programme, Governor Radda harped on the skills they acquired, including web development, social media and email marketing, graphics and product design, and entrepreneurial development.
He encouraged the graduates to use their new-found 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 programme.
He called upon development partners, stakeholders, and business leaders to continue supporting such initiatives, emphasizing that “collaboration is key to achieving sustainable growth.”
In his remarks, 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, enumerated the achievements of the agency.
“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 Assessment of Businesses with Growth Potentials.”
“Study Tour of Similar Agencies in Lagos and Abuja to adopt Global Best Practices; Ongoing Training of 3 Youths at the Social Innovation Academy in Uganda; Establishment of a 5 Billion Naira MSMEs Revolving Matching and Managed Fund in Partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI),” are noticeable successes recorded by KASEDA,” she said.
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 the economic development. She concluded by expressing gratitude to the visionary efforts of the Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
The event attracted government officials, corporate organizations, seasoned entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from within and outside Katsina State. Notable among them are: Director General of Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Ayo Omotayo; the Guest Speaker, Kuru Jos; VC Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal mni; CEO of LEAPWORLD; former Director General of SMEDAN and the CEO of Centre for Entrepreneurship Training and Policy Initiative (CETAPI), Dr. Wale Fasanya.
Others are Katsina State Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar; Chief of Staff to the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Abdullahi Jabiru Tsauri; Chief Economic Adviser to Governor of Katsina, Khalil Nur Khalil among others.