From Okwe Obi, Abuja
To mark this year’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Day, over 1000 young professionals across the Niger Delta region are expected to attend a business summit/ Boot camp next week in Rivers State.
Convener of the summit, Moses Siloko Siasia, in a statement yesterday, said the event is an initiative of the Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP) that is aimed at creating a platform for young professionals to exchange ideas on how key stakeholders, including policy makers can support micro, small and medium-sized businesses to advance the 2030 sustainable development goals.
According to him, the theme for this year’s event is: ‘Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship and Self-reliance Beyond Oil.’
He noted that despite lack of support from governments of the region, poor management of MSMEs, high-interest loans from banks, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure, the initiative has pulled through with sustainable impacts over the years.
Unveiling the speakers, he said: “Leading the pack of speakers this year is Mr. Summy Smart Francis, the President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E.).
“Other speakers include Engr. Temitope Runsewe, the CEO of Dutum Company Limited; Mrs. Esther F. Adebayo, President of the Women Agro Processors, Agricgen, and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN); Mr. Otuya Okecha, MD/CEO Firbesol Nigeria Limited; Dr. Martins Fregene, Director of Agriculture, African Development Bank, among others.
“At the inaugural edition of the summit held in 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over 400 Niger Deltans benefited from the NIRSAL Intervention Loan for small business owners in the area of Agriculture, Creative Industry and ICT.
“Also, the NDYP gave out grants to innovative businesses. The second edition was held in Asaba, Delta State in 2022, and the third edition followed suit in 2023 in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
“Among many other highpoints, this year’s event will feature product exhibitions, grants, boot camp, main-stage keynotes, panel discussions, interactive master sessions, style breakout, business-to-business meetings, mentoring sessions, networking opportunities featuring outstanding line-up of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, strategists and business leaders from top brands.”