Director General, Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), Otunba Kayode Fasae has explained strategies to be adopted for Entreprenuership Development in Ekiti state.
In his welcome address during the Agency’s stakeholders’ meeting in collaboration with Ekiti State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EKICCMA) tagged; “Entrepreneurship Development, a Catalyst for Growth in Ekiti State”, Fasae said MEDA is committed to developing the best hands in Entrepreneurship in the State through innovative programmes, trainings, seminars and capacity building workshops.
Explaining activities that will position business owners, artisans and traders in the state for opportunities, Fasae said that MEDA is currently working on consolidate our data for relevant associations.
“This will help us organize entrepreneurs for trainings as well as enabling them access funds to grow their businesses. We have a project in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (EDI). We will hold trainings for members of MEDA and entrepreneurs who are qualified as well.
“We are also working closely with First City Monument Bank (FCMB) on youth development as we are embarking on a one week training for over four thousand five hundred participants by September. Our plan for Fadama loans is also underway, these and more are our efforts to developing entrepreneurship and supporting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the state,” he said.
Technical Assistant to Director General G MEDA, Adegboye Gbemisola said that the agency was set up also to support the agenda of the First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi in the area of Women Empowerment.
“MEDA also supports the vision of the office of the First Lady in the area of women empowerment and wealth creation and we are happy the Agency has built a solid working relationship in this regard.
In his remarks, President of the Chamber, Chief Kola Akosile said that the event is focused on consolidating efforts of various bodies in both formal and informal sectors of the state.
Highlighting proposed activities thereafter, EKICCIMA President said that Enumeration/Mapping of Entrepreneurs will help collate data for the body and MEDA to effectively create working partnerships with relevant organisations ahead of trainings, and funding programmes. Financing Products such as Creative Fund and Youth Development Fund are also considered.
Honourable Commissioner for Investment, Trade and Industries, Olusoga David encouraged MEDA and EKICCIMA to build further partnerships that will bring innovative development to create opportunities for investments and trading in the state.