By Umar Salihu Adamu
The Niger State Coordinator of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed, has reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Niger State.
He made the pledge through his representative, Senior Admin Officer, Mallam Mohammed Mamman, at the retreat for Local Government Coordinators of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Niger State Chapter, held in Minna.
Dr. Abdulrasheed described NASME as a critical partner in fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic empowerment.
He commended the tireless efforts of the coordinators in driving SME activities across the 25 local government areas of the state, stressing that their dedication aligns with RMRDC’s mission to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s raw materials sector. He encouraged the coordinators to continue providing exceptional leadership and guidance to NASME members, noting that their role is vital in driving innovation and promoting socio-economic growth.
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In a major announcement, Dr. Abdulrasheed disclosed that RMRDC will soon deploy nodal officers across all 25 LGAs to collaborate with NASME on an upcoming initiative, a move that he said will further demonstrate the RMRDC’s determination to strengthen SME development and sustainability in Niger State.
Earlier while delivering a goodwill message, the Niger State Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises, Hon. Elizabeth Shaba, commended the dedication of the NASME leadership and urged greater women engagement in entrepreneurship. She further stressed the need for government intervention to ease product registration challenges and reduce fines imposed on entrepreneurs.
Also speaking, the Niger State Chairman of NASME, Mallam Suleiman Mohammed Tasiu, in his welcome address, highlighted the objectives of the retreat, including strengthening the NASME network, evaluating successes and challenges, and promoting creativity, risk-taking, and innovation in entrepreneurship. He particularly encouraged youths and women to embrace entrepreneurship through cooperative societies and active participation in business activities.
Other speakers and invited guests echoed similar ideas, while Local Government Coordinators from across the state shared their experiences, citing difficulties in accessing loans from financial institutions as a major challenge. Suggestions at the retreat included leveraging the abundant raw materials available in each local government area to drive enterprise development.
The retreat concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants collectively agreed on the need for stronger partnerships and innovative solutions to enhance SME growth in the state.
Mallam Mamman Mohammed who representated the Niger State Coordinator RMRDC, Dr. Abdulrasheed Mohammed was accompanied by Scientific Officer Jamila Aliyu.
