By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU – GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state has urged youths to break their terror barriers, step out of comfort zone and become greater entrepreneurs to contribute in national economic development.

Ugwuanyi

Ugwuanyi made this call during an opening ceremony of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, talent hunt programme in fashion, art and craft in Enugu.

Ugwuanyi who was represented by Special Adviser, SA, on small and medium enterprises and investment promotion, Mr Anayo Agu, assure the participants from Enugu of starter Kitts and further training.

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He stated that now is the time for youths to defy all odds to shine with their innovations and creative geniuses to be better persons.

“Enugu state government reckons and values thus talent hunt more as an opportunity for the contestants to challenge themselves, to break their terror barriers, to step out of their comfort zone and test their business assumption.

“In line with the state policy and directives, I assure the contestants that state government will provide starter parks and further training for those whose proposal business are selected for the next phase of this programme.

Earlier in a welcome address the Director General, DG, of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Umaru, said the programme is designed to discover hidden talents and showcase innovative talents in fashion, art and craft, stating that is geared towards employment generation through wealth creation and self-reliance to reduce poverty among youths.

Dr Umaru disclosed that the talent hunt which was scheduled to hold in 4 states is going simultaneously in Gombe and Enugu where over 300 innovative ideas in fashion, art and craft will be identified and supported with financial assistant and technical through entrepreneurship training while same was held on 1st – 5th of April 2019 at Akwa Ibom and Kaduna respectively.

Dr Umaru represented by Director in charge of quality, partnership and coordination, SMEDAN, Dr Friday Okpara, stated that the agency would enhance the participants’ scheme and make their product visibly by including their product to the platform.

“It’s my pleasure to welcome you all to this occasion of the commencement of the implementation of our programme titled, “SMEDAN talent hunts in fashion, art and craft with the theme: breaking convention and sparking innovation”.

“This programme is designed towards discovering hidden talents and showcasing innovative talents in fashion, arts and craft to create employment through wealth creation and self reliance, thereby reducing poverty among youths”, Umaru said.

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He disclosed that the panel of judges would evaluate and subsequently select the best 10 idea at the end of the programme and empower them through further capacity development, linkages and visibility via e-marketing.

Also speaking, the Director General, DG, National Council for Art and Culture, NCAC, Dr Otumba Segun Ramseye, said that the programme was targeted on the youths, stating that the future of the nation depends to the youths.

He disclosed that the NCAC is partnering with SMEDAN to train youths and ensure that they get the right information needed for capacity building in the country to reduce unemployment.

Otumba represented by a senior research officer, NCAC, Aliyu Umar, disclosed that they would equip the participants with the needed knowledge and fund to overcome any challenge that might come their way for a sustainable and economic development.