From Abdullahi Shugaba, in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a stronger entrepreneurial economy for a sustainable living
Radda urged women and young people in the state to develop the skills and capacity needed to turn the vision into reality.
Governor Radda gave the charge on Saturday during the fourth Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Round Table Summit and Exhibition, organised in Katsina by the Initiative of Innovative Youthpreneurs Sustainable Development.
He described entrepreneurship as the ability to identify problems and provide workable solutions, stressing that enterprise development remains important to household prosperity,
job creation.
He appreciated the resilience of women entrepreneurs, noting their growing contribution to commerce and family livelihoods.
The Governor noted that access to money alone does not guarantee business success pointing out that entrepreneurs require the right skills, viable markets.
“The links are capacity, market and finance assuring entrepreneurs who met the necessary requirements that the State Government will supporting them, particularly women.
Governor Radda further linked productive engagement to security and social stability, observing that creating economic opportunities for young people can reduce idleness and some of the social pressures that contribute to insecurity.
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He encouraged young entrepreneurs not to abandon vocational skills and traditional trades, but to modernise them, improve and capacity for viable markets around the country.
Speaking earlier, the Convener of the CEOs Round Table, Lubabatu Umar Ahmed, said the initiative was created to connect entrepreneurs with ideas, opportunities and successful business leaders from whom they could learn.
She praised the Radda administration’s support for small and medium-scale enterprises, saying that interventions through agencies and programmes including KASEDA, Women Affairs and Girl-Child Education had empowered 17,400 people in Katsina State.
Ahmed said the Round Table had grown beyond simply bringing entrepreneurs together, with its focus now on helping participants explore opportunities capable of turning their ideas into successful ventures. She described the fourth edition as another step towards developing a new generation of entrepreneurs who can build businesses from Katsina and compete beyond the state and Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Banking and Finance, Bilkisu Suleiman Ibrahim, who represented the First Lady, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Radda, urged young entrepreneurs to embrace technology, mentorship and financial inclusion while taking advantage of government interventions and partnerships.
She described the Round Table as an important platform for connecting business leaders, innovators and young entrepreneurs, opening doors to partnerships and new opportunities.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Aliyu Lawal Zakari Shargalle highlighted the administration’s investment in practical skills and enterprise development.
Shargalle disclosed that 120 young people were trained under the Songhai programme in the first year, followed by 361 in the second year and another 361 currently undergoing training, bringing the total to more than 800 beneficiaries.
According to him, the beneficiaries received start-up capital and grants after completing their training.
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The Commissioner further disclosed that about 700 young men and women are undergoing additional skills acquisition and educational training, with the government providing financial support, modern toolkits and monthly allowances to help them succeed.
Also in her submission, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Aminu Abdullahi Malumfashi said the administration was expanding economic opportunities for women through the Nigeria for Women Project.
Nalumfashi announced that more than 4,000 women are expected to showcase their businesses at an exhibition scheduled for October 6, while 2,200 women are expected to receive grants.
She added that 1,700 Women Affinity Groups had already been formed under the programme.
The CEOs Round Table brought together, government officials, business tycoons, entrepreneurs, innovators and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, build networks and explore opportunities for sustainable economic development in Katsina State.
