James Emejo in Abuja
The Director General/Chief Executive, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Radda, has said the agency will continue to support the growth and development of a virile micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector.
He said the sector remains key to the growth and development of countries across the world.
Speaking at a media briefing to herald the 2021 United Nations MSME Day celebration, in Abuja, Radda said the sector is a major contributor to job and wealth creation, poverty alleviation as well as the bedrock of industrialisation.
He said: “It is therefore, based on the relevance of MSMEs that the United Nations set aside the June 27 of every year for the celebration of the resilience and significance of the MSMEs.
“It is important to note that Nigeria has celebrated the two previous World MSME Day with all stakeholders in the MSME ecosystem participating.
“As we join the rest of the world to celebrate the MSMEs, it is my pleasure to assure you and all stakeholders that the agency will continue to support the growth and development of a virile MSMEs sub-sector of our dream in Nigeria.”
He noted that this year’s celebration remained of special significance as the Office of the Vice President is taking the lead in putting together a series of activities marking the day which includes a national discourse, a fashion/art exhibition and MSMEs awards.
He pointed out that as the agency saddled with the responsibility for coordinating, facilitating and promoting the development of the MSMEs sub-sector in the country, it is incumbent upon the institution to anchor and support the annual celebration.
He said: “What we are doing here today is to complement the efforts of the vice president.
“The theme for this year’s event, ‘MSMEs: Key to an inclusive and sustainable recovery’’, is apt given that the whole world is gradually recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in which MSMEs were the worst affected.”
