Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has restated his administrations resolve to continue creating veritable platforms that will aid in the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in the state.
Gov. Ikpeazu who stated this at the Dr Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, shortly after declaring open a two day program for POS Business Empowerment and Loan Support for Abia Youths and Women restated his commitment in turning the state into the epicentre and new destination for Small and Medium Scale Business Enterprises.
The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Documentation and Strategic Communications, Mr Ugochukwu Emezue disclosed that the program which is powered by the office of his Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs, NGO Matters and Special Development in partnership with the state ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and New Businesses Development is part of his administrations drive towards the promotion of SME’s, creation of employment and business opportunities for unemployed Abia youths.
The Governor while commending Dr Francis Origa and the Ministry for SME for organizing the program, also charged the participants to take the training seriously as well as utilize the opportunity effectively to enable them
become self reliant.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Small, Medium Enterprises and New Businesses Development, Mrs Adaku Uwaoma Oseiza represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Nwachukwu Agomoh, the Commissioner for Trading and Establishment , Chief Chidiebere Uwagwu Kalu commended Governor Ikpeazu for his policy guidelines and approval of the empowerment Program, further enjoined the participants to leverage on the opportunities available in the SME ministry.
Earlier in his address, the organizer and Special Adviser to the Governor on Humanitarian Affairs, NGO Matters and Social Development, Dr Francis Origa said the program which is supported by the Capricon Digital LTD and the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development is geared towards making unemployed youths become financially stable and economically viable in the society.
In their goodwill messages, the Chief Executive Officer, Abia Diasporia Commission, Dr Ngozi Erondu, representative of the Body of Special Advisers to the Governor, Princess Glad Apugo Osoagbaka, representative of the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development, Pastor Anya Okoro, Coordinator of Don Lulu Foundation, Mrs Ugo Imelda challenged the participants to see the empowerment as a turning point in their life’s and one that requires carefulness, commitment and dedication to thrive effectively.
The program featured the training of participants on the use of the Baxi POS, question and answer sessions and presentation of the POS machines to the beneficiaries.