A group of young professionals of the Niger Delta extraction has vowed to champion a new narrative towards stimulating the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the region.
The group said it has concluded plans to host what is described as the biggest MSME summit in the region.
The event, which was earlier planned for March 2020 was moved to Friday, February 12, 2021, due to the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, Moses Siasia, chairman of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), said a team of young people with futuristic thinking has been put together for the summit.
Advertisement
The former governorship candidate in Bayelsa state said the theme of the event is: “Stimulating MSME Growth Beyond Oil”.
Siasia said the summit will host over 300 carefully selected MSME/small business owners across all the states in the region who will attend in person, while others will join the conference virtually, in conformity with the COVI9-19 preventive guidelines and protocols.
Siasia said, amongst other things, that the summit is meant to help generate a database of all the existing MSME in the region while galvanising stakeholders buy-in for the strengthening of businesses operating in the Niger Delta region to facilitate the sustainable growth of small businesses.
Advertisement
“The only hope for the region right now is to encourage those doing meaningful businesses. The society has neglected productivity for too long. More people of good character and competence should be encouraged to emerge in the region and in which case young people with great ideas and skills can be enabled by the various governments of the region and the Multinational Oil Companies operating within the region,” he said.
Siasia said the Summit will be attended by young business owners between the ages of 18 and 45.
He said Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, are expected at the summit.
He said Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, is the chief host while Simi Wabote, executive secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will feature as guest speaker.
Advertisement
Other dignitaries are Effiong Akwa, interim administrator of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, and some ministers, chairmen, and executive directors of government parastatals.
Add a comment
