IMO STATE TO PRODUCE 8000 ENTERPRENEURS YEARLY THROUGH CBN SEEDC PROGRAMME

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The Resident Administrator of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – SEEDC, Imo State, Dr. AMB. Stella Obidiegwu, has stated that there is possibility of Imo State producing 8000 Entrepreneurs yearly, through the CBN – SEEDC programme.

Speaking to journalists recently, Dr. Obidiegwu opined that the establishment of South-East Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SEEDC) in Imo State is an eloquent testimony of the commitment of His Excellency Governor Okorocha, in terms of creating employment and empowering thousands of Imo indigenes with entrepreneurial skills and getting them self employed and employers of labour.

Dr. Obidiegwu revealed that the SEEDC is the initiative of Central Bank of Nigeria aimed at promoting a new strategic entrepreneur expertise for the purpose of reducing unemployment among the citizenry of Nigeria by establishing Entrepreneurship Development Centers in the six (6) Geo–Political Zones of Nigeria. She said that the SEEDC – Imo State is one of the centres that serve other South East States.

Dr. Obidiegwu went further to posit that it is her view that except the small and medium scale enterprises are developed and sustained, the nation’s quest to reduce unemployment may remain a mirage hence, her resolve to facilitate and link the SEEDC programme to Imo Government through the Ministry of Trade and Investment to ensure the establishment of SEEDC mobile training center in Imo State.

Dr. Obidiegwu further revealed that the programme will equip minimum of 2,000 trainees per quarter with entrepreneurship knowledge and practical experiences required to start up and run successful venture. A minimum of O’ level certificate is the requirement for participation in the programme.

Dr. Obidiegwu said that the programme is for the young, adults, pensioners and those who are already in agricultural business, but wants to expand. Participation fee of N5000 is just what you will pay to participate, so says Dr. Obidiegwu. She stated also that Governor Okorocha, has graciously paid for 1,500 Imolites to participate in the programme and that trained lecturer from Lagos Business School are on ground to train students who will be given certificates at the end of the programme. The certificate so obtained, will enable them to get loan from CBN to start up their business.

Speaking also, Anugom Ngozi Felicia and Christian Nwadike, who are participants, expressed their satisfaction at the quality of knowledge they acquired. Mrs. Nkechinyere Atasie, the Dean of South East Entrepreneur Centre Umuahia posited that the SEEDC/CBN training is life changing  and called on Nigerians to avail themselves of such opportunity.

In his own contribution, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ojinere the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Trade and Investment, stated that CBN – SEEDC training is a job creation initiative and those to benefit from this programme are unemployed graduates and undergraduates. He further opined that the event is aimed at re-orientating our youths towards self, reliance and employment. According to him, the South East Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SEEDC) is a Central Bank of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Development program which is focused on promoting a new strategic initiative aimed at developing the entrepreneurial expertise for the purpose of empowering participants with skills in entrepreneurship and agriculture and reducing unemployment among the citizenry of Nigerians in South East especially in Imo State and called o Imolites to cue into it.