The Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has reiterated the agency’s commitment to collaborating with the Asaba community on initiatives aimed at job creation and youth empowerment.
Mr. Odii made this assurance during a courtesy visit from His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, and his palace chiefs. The visit included a guided tour of the facilities at the SMEDAN complex.
Expressing his pleasure in hosting the esteemed monarch, Mr. Odii described the engagement as a pivotal step in enhancing SMEDAN’s influence in Delta State.
He stated, “Your Royal Majesty, SMEDAN has yet to make a significant impact in Delta State, and I assure you that we are eager to collaborate with the Asaba community and the Delta State Government to create sustainable jobs for unemployed youths.”
He elaborated on the agency’s readiness to partner with small business owners in Asaba, facilitating access to loans, grants, and mentorship to promote business development and expand employment opportunities.
Mr. Odii emphasized the importance of formalizing businesses, noting that registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is essential for accessing SMEDAN-supported funding and interventions.
During the tour, the Asagba of Asaba expressed optimism about the potential for replicating various initiatives within his kingdom to foster economic growth and employment. He commended Mr. Odii for his visionary leadership and accomplishments since taking office.
The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to job creation, highlighting the youth demographic in Asaba, nearly 70% of whom are in need of productive engagement. “Earlier this year, I expressed my goal of creating approximately 1,000 jobs.
We are dedicated to fully engaging our youth to prevent them from turning to drugs, crime, and other negative influences,” the Asagba stated.
He further assured Mr. Odii of the community’s support, including the potential provision of land to expedite the proposed initiatives.
The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts between His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, and Mr. Charles Odii, symbolizing a mutual commitment to fostering a productive partnership focused on youth empowerment and sustainable economic development in Asaba.
