The Commissioner, Ministry of Small Medium and New Business Development, Hon. Mrs Adaku Uwaoma Oseiza, has assured the Association of Professional Photographers of Abia State (APPAS) of Abia State Government support through the MSMEs.
The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomo, stated this during the 2021 photo festival/award ceremony.
Speaking on the theme,” Marketing Abia on picture”, he added that through the ministry, Abia State government has a programme called (AbiaCare) whose aim is to assist people whose business collapsed as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. The President, APPAS, Comrade Dende.
The MSMEs boss noted that before 2019 MSMEs was not known, but the present government through the ministry,it became a reality,adding that small businesses have been helped to rise.
He further encouraged people who have small businesses to register their businesses with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) through the ministry MSMEs.
In his speech, the president of the association,Comrade Dende E. C. Dende, stated that the association has achieved a lot within the short period of time in office.
He stated that the association is fully registered with Corporate Affairs Commission since 2015.
The APPAS president urged the governor to make the teaching and learning of photography an integral part of learning process, and pleaded with the Ministry of Education to include teaching and learning of photography in the technical education curricular.
Comrade Dende further noted that the state director of NYSC should incorporate photography in their artisan scheme, adding that they are willing to offer them their services at a minimal remuneration which will enable the youths to be skilful and make ends meet.
One of the awardees, Hon. Chief Ejim Chibuzo, the chairman of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Umuahia South zone, appreciated the association for giving him such honour and pledged to continue to support the association.
Mr. Jerry Gab Abarikwu, the head of photo unit, Government House ,Umuahia, dedicated his award to his parents and appreciated the association and also pledged his support to the association in ensuring a greater height.
Other awardees include; Mr Johnson Udensi, Barr. (Prince) Igwe Ifeanyi, Mr Nkems David Okornkwo, Mr Egwu Uduma, Mrs. Bright Chidinma Ibe among others.
