The Ministry of Women Affairs has expressed its readiness to partner with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), with a view to ensuring inclusive growth of   female enterprenuers in the country

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the disclosure during the Launching of a Desk for Women and Youth Empowerment by SMEDAN for targeted programmes and inclusive measures aimed at empowering women for the socio-economic development of the country

The Minister stated that launching a Desk equipped with modern tools for women empowerment is apt, as it will not only ensure that the gender gets first-hand attention in the area of skill acquisition but also make room for the emergence of more female enterprenuers thus leading to self reliance and employability

She added that on its part, the Ministry will work towards ensuring the profitable marketing of the end products of the enterprenuers by linking SMEDAN with its E-portal platform which is meant to serve as a one-stop-shop for all stakeholders in her product sale scheme

While describing women as investment multipliers and key drivers of prosperity in every given nation, Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye added that the desk will further facilitate the stimulation, monitoring and coordination of women into being employers of labour, thus promoting the setting up of more cottage industries in the country

She commended the Agency for making conscious efforts to prioritize youth, women and the vulnerable in the society in its empowerment initiatives in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration

Earlier, the Director-General,  Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii stated that the newly launched Desk will focus on training and facilitation of capital for trainees while also creating avenues for market accessibility

While expressing SMEDAN’s willingness to continue to partner with other relevant Agencies in order to drive the policy initiatives of government, Mr. Odii thanked the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye as well as Management and Staff of the Ministry, for their dogged determination in ensuring the full implementation of the policies, initiatives and programmes of the Federal Government, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration