The leadership of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Bank of Industries (BOI), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) yesterday appeared before the Senate Committee on Industries at the National Assembly to present and defend the 2023 budget proposals for their agencies.
The committee, led by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, received presentations from ITF, SMEDAN and BOI.
ITF’s presentation was done by its Director General, Sir Joseph Ari; the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Olawale Fasanya, made a presentation on the budget proposal of his agency before the Senate committee, while that of SMEDAn was done by the Executive Director (SME), Mr. Shekarau Omar, who represented the Managing Director.
In their presentations, the agencies’ heads urged the Senate to approve and pass their budgets, as presented, considering the importance of their agencies to the development of the country, particularly with regard to the challenges currently facing the nation.
The committee members urged the agencies to shore up their revenues through generation to help with the current deficit.
The senators also advised the agencies to be prudent in the management of appropriated funds, considering the nation’s dire financial state.
They particularly emphasised the need for the agencies to live up to high expectations that Nigerians have of them.
Members of the committee at the budget defence included the vice chairman, Senators Francis Ibezim (Imo North), Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Ibrahim Hadegia (Jigawa North East), Tolu Odebiyi (Ogun West), Chris Ekpeyong (Akwa Ibom North West), Saidu Alkali (Gombe North), Isah Jubrin (Kogi East), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Ibrahim Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Sodiq Umar (Kwara North) and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North).