As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office, the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) and Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI) have embarked on a “Renewed Hope Good Governance Tour” to evaluate the performance of the head of government agencies, ministries, and parastatals appointed by the President. The tour began with a visit to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), led by Director General Charles Odii, yesterday in Abuja.
The National President of NACCSO and VOLDI, Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny expressed admiration for the DG’s performance, describing him as a pillar in realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola AhmedTinubu. Johnny commended Odii for establishing a well-equipped Industrial Fashion Academy and Training Centre in many parts of the nation, which provides entrepreneurship services and training, and skills acquisition opportunities to curb unemployment and criminality in Nigeria.
Johnny urged the youths to take advantage of the free Industrial Fashion Academy and Entrepreneurial Development Centre to equip themselves and become entrepresing and self-reliant. He also called on state governments, local governments, and lawmakers to collaborate with SMEDAN to replicate this initiative across the 774 local governments in Nigeria.
In his part, Mr. Charles Odii, DG SMEDAN, appreciated the CSOs for their voluntary efforts in the nation’s best interest. He highlighted SMEDAN’s achievements and the President’s initiatives, emphasizing the need for collaboration with stakeholders and CSOs to equip the youths with necessary skills for entrepreneurship and economic growth. Odii encouraged youths to leverage opportunities offered by Tinubu’s administration, particularly through SMEDAN, to improve their lives and contribute to the nation’s economic development.
As a government agency, SMEDAN’s mandate includes training youths for economic opportunities, particularly entrepreneurship, and providing funding for businesses to grow. Under DG Odii’s leadership, SMEDAN continues to work towards promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering innovation in Nigeria’s SME sector.
The CSOs further pledged their continued support and collaboration to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in moving the country forward.
Earlier in his speech, the CSOs boss, Rt. Comrade Emmanuel Johnny cautioned Civil Society Organisations working against the policies and programmes of government and ask them to see the need for collaboration for a better society of our dream.
