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Tag: artisans

  • Akeredolu gives N550m loan to women, artisans

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday released N550 million loan to market women, entrepreneurial groups and cooperatives societies.

    He said the measure was part of his administration’s efforts to tackle poverty, banish hunger and create wealth across the state.

    Akeredolu spoke at the launch of Apalara Micro-Credit Loan Scheme and presentation of N550 million cheques for the empowerment of various groups and associations in Akure, the state capital.

    The governor said the scheme was conceived to sensitise, re-orientate and inculcate the spirit of self-reliance and self-sustenance in the residents.

    Akeredolu, who was briefed when he assumed office about various loan regimes in the micro-credit agency and the humongous backlog of unrecovered loans disbursed by previous governments in the state, spurred the agency to embark on a strategic plan to address lapses identified in past governments’ loan administration.

    The governor noted that the task of the agency gave birth to the new brand, called “Apalarab Micro-Credit Loan Scheme”.

    He said: “The scheme is to inculcate in our people the spirit to properly utilise credit facilities obtained from the state’s micro-credit agency, particularly on the need for them to appreciate the fact that funds disbursed should not be taken as their own share of the national cake.

    “As a fallout of our determination to lift the people of Ondo State out of poverty in the land, N550 million has been approved by our administration to be disbursed to various groups and individuals at a single digit interest rate.”

    Of the total sum, market women are to get N357.5 million (65 per cent), while men will get N192.5 million (35 per cent).

    Akeredolu said the state government had evolved a well-articulated credit management system for loan beneficiaries to ensure efficient risk management to guide against defaults so that Apalara loan scheme would be sustained.

    The governor urged the beneficiaries to genuinely apply the money.

    He added that the route to poverty eradication is through hard work, efficient management of available financial resources and positive attitude to life.

    The Chief of Imam of Akure, Alhaji Yayi Akorede, and beneficiaries of the loan scheme hailed the governor’s initiative.

    The Chief Imam described Akeredolu as a good leader in the distribution of government’s programmes to the people.

     

  • Manufacturers, artisans, market women mobilise to welcome President Buhari in Edo

    Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Edo State, artisans and market women have commenced mobilisation of their members for the scheduled visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Edo State for the commissioning of the Edo-Azura Power Plant on Tuesday, November 27.

    The President is also to attend the Chief of Army Staff Conference, holding in Edo State, on the same day.

    Feelers from the organised private sector indicate that different professional groups are already prepping their members for the visit, just as market women are gearing up for a presidential welcome.

    A cross-section of members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Edo/Delta chapter, the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), and other bodies said that they are ready to welcome the president to the state, and will be on ground to intimate the president with the impact of the current administration’s reforms on their businesses.

    Read also: Buhari’s, Atiku’s campaign chiefs clash at presidential debate

    A member of BENCCIMA, and Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo State Chapter, Comrade Asuen Valentine, said that a great deal of mobilisation is ongoing across the state to see that the president gets a rousing welcome.

    Valentine, who is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Chairman, DVD Oil,  added, “We are ready to welcome the president to the state. This, for us, is an opportunity to engage with the President, tell him our concerns and also appreciate him for a number of policies that have positively impacted our operations, especially the move to diversify the economy.”

    Edo Market women leader, Madam Blacky Omoregie, on her part, said that market women are most excited to have the President in the state as his social investment programmes particularly the TraderMoni and MarketMoni have tremendously changed lives across the country.

    “This is the first time market women across the country are having such direct benefit from the government and it is so pleasing. This is why we are mobilising market women across the state to thank the President for all he has been doing and for placing us at the center of such interventions,” she added.

     

  • Building capacities of artisans, tradesmen

    Artisans and tradesmen are some of the largest employment generators in Lagos. The state is retraining them to meet the challenge of a growing economy, DANIEL ESSIET  reports.

    SOME tradesmen and artisans – metal fitters and machinists, carpenters, motor mechanics, plumbers and others – are in high demand. But there is a shortage of qualified tradies as they are called. They are a vital arm of the economy, especially the construction industry.

    To provide a qualified and trained workforce  for its economic growth, Lagos State has intensified the training of artisans and tradesmen. The training is also aimed at building their capacities to enable the state to develop world-class artisans well equipped and skilled to face global competition.

    At the ninth edition of Tradesmen and Artisans’ Week and graduation for re-trained artisans with the theme: “Growing Capacity for a Dynamic Economy: The Artisans Perspective.” Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode said for the economy to grow, the capacity of tradesmen must be strengthened.

    ”It is generally accepted today that the advancement of a nation from poverty is not a technical process, but rather a transformation process. At the centre of this transformational process are two driving forces: emotion and enlightenment. These factors are essential in determining the economic growth and development of a nation. And these factors come to play in the quest for success of our tradesmen and artisans.

    ”Our government will continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to design and execute programs to enhance the productivity of Tradesmen and Artisans,” the Governor said.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello, said: “You can, therefore, rest assured of the continued sustenance of this programme by an All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled government in Lagos State. We thank all organisations and individuals from the organised private sector that have joined hands with us in our determination to improve the competence and socio-economic condition of our artisans.

    “Our government will continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to design and executive programmes, to enhance the productivity of tradesmen because, growing the capacity of tradesmen and artisans remain a key component that we cannot afford to ignore,” Ambode added.

    According to him, retraining provides income-earning opportunities to Nigerians, teaching and helping them to launch sustainable businesses of their own, and connect them to global markets.

    He said the state has forged a unique partnership with artisans and tradesmen, enabling them tap into a growing services market.

    In the last three years, the government through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, has shown unwavering commitment to tradesmen and artisans, and in addition to providing a platform for individuals and groups to contribute their quota to developing the state.

    “In line with our policy of inclusion, we have committed to invest heavily on the programme that has benefited individuals and groups, particularly under the state Employment Trust Fund. Through these programmes, we have succeeded in giving a higher sense of belonging to artisans and Tradesmen in Lagos State. Our Artisans have now stepped up and are updating thier skills to meet up with global standards and changing expectations,” Ambode explained.

    Ambode assured people of the state that the next All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor will sustain his programmes and policies in the state.  One of the most significant initiatives is the online artisans’ market place, a government-wide initiative, which utilises technology to showcase tradesmen’s services to all citizens in an efficient and cost effective manner. Ambode said the online market place was one of the ways to leverage internet access as a way to increase artisans’ availability to markets with improved visibility and discoverability of their products.

    Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said the state would continue to promote and sustain entrepreneurship and employment through effective use of wealth creation strategies and resources by collaborating with all stakeholders.

    The Commissioner said the Tradesmen and Artisans week, which was the third edition of the programme under the current administration, recognised the contributions of the informal sector to the development of the economy.

    On the online portal, the Commissioner said it was designed to cater to all artisans regardless of their educational background.

    The commissioner said the portal will ensure that certified artisans have the opportunity of showcasing their products and services to the world. She also said the second edition of artisans and tradesmen compendium has been produced for sale at the ministry

    Other achievements, according to the Commissioner, include the release of the annual N12million subvention to the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, the training of 1,500 artisans by Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) under the Lagos State Tradesmen and Artisans Empowerment Programme (LASTAEP). A significant number of tradesmen and artisans, accorduing to the commissioner, were able to access the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) loans.

    Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans LASCOTA president, Mr Nurudeen Buhari, expressed delight for government’s support to the association in the last three years.

    He lauded  the Governor for fulfilling his promise on the credit facility scheme granted to his members through the state Employment Trust Fund.

    Buhari urged the government to provide a befitting secretariat for the council and employment for graduates, qualified for various openings.

    He also said the government should patronise products and brands for the government projects which are civil work, paintings, granite supply and sewing of the government uniforms.

    The graduation is held annually after the tradesmen must have undergone eight weeks capacity training. Awards were presented to the Best managed zonal body association; Alimosho Construction Workers, Most socially responsible; Lagos State Tie and Dye Association; Best managed state body association; Lagos State Tailor and Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria; Leadership Award (female category), Mrs Idayat Lawal; Leadership award (male category), Arch.C.A .Olowe and Life achievement award to the former President LASCOTA, High Chief Bola Sanusi. One of the graduating trainees, Mrs Folasade Idowu, urged the government to sustain the training of tradesmen and artisans in the state.

  • Trustfund engages artisans, traders, others on micro pension

    Trustfund Pensions Plc has urged workers in the informal sector through the Federation of Informal Workers Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), to take advantage of micro pension plan to save for their future.

    Micro pension, a plan by the National Pension Commission (PenCom, designed to capture the over 70,000 workers in the informal sector, is billed to kick off in January 2019.

    Trustfund, a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), engaged the workers comprising Nigeria Union of Tailors (NUT), National Association of Motor Mechanics, Nigerian Association of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (NASHCO), bricklayers and plumbers among others during the One Day Sensitisation Programme, which held in Lagos.

    Trustfund Regional Manager,  Obiora Ozoekwem, who spoke at the event, said the impact of the informal sector is going to be huge on the economy. He however said the company was prepared to capture the informal sector in January.

    Obiora stated that the company is capable of enrolling the workers based on its structure, expertise, branch network and the volume of assets under its management.

    He said Trustfund ownership is diversified and reflects various interests, which include the representative bodies of Nigerian workers, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), adding that the company is also owned by some employers and financial institutional investors from the private sector.

    He said:“The informal sector, which has over 70,000 of working people in the country, falls under labour union. We believe because the labour union is part of the owners of Trustfund, the people will be more comfortable to enroll with the company. They have a certain level of ownership.

    “This is where we draw our strength from knowing that our branch network, expertise and the volume of assets we are managing will go a long way. The issue of corporate governance and assets protection is top priority for us. We believe that you can’t be a judge in a case where you are also part of the story, and with NLC being part of us, we have an edge above any other organisation.

    “We also believe strongly in FIWON. It is an association of informal sectors’ organisations. FIWON is the central organising platform for working people in the informal sectors of the Nigerian. It has the tailor, farmer, bricklayer, taxi driver and many more workers.”

    Ozoekwem further stated that the company will embark on awareness creation on pension scheme, stressing that the informal sector also comprises of the self-employed, who are not necessarily low-income earners, adding that the company is prepared to engage these categories of people.

    He said there is going to be need for public enlightenment because they need to understand the Contributory Pension Scheme as a whole, as well as the micro pension plan. PenCom has also promised to embark on serious sensitisa-tion campaign on the scheme.”

    Meanwhile, FIWON Secretary General, Gbenga Komolafe, has  called on its members nationwide to stop playing lottery with their hard earned money and participate in the pension scheme to secure their future.

    He said FIWON which was launched in 2010 with about 24 organisation of former workers, currently has about 170 organisa-tions across 21 states, with the sole purpose of ensuring that the workers right is protected.

    “We also ensure that they benefit from mortgage care and support, maternal care and support and other basic amenities,” he said.

    While commending the government initiative to capture the sector, he called on the government to part fund the contributions required in the scheme.

    He called “the categories of workers in the informal sector contribute to the economy, but do not enjoy the benefits that the working people in the formal sector enjoy. “It is in the interest of everybody that government invests in the informal sector,” he said.

    “Government attitude and the need for it to create space for the people to carry out their trade activities is very important. The government is talking to us about pension today, but if they keep destroying our spaces where we engage in trade, where are we going to get money to be able to save for the future?

    “It is not enough for the government to say we should contribute to pension, it should also part fund the scheme for us. Even if it is not 50-50 as we have in the formal sector, but at least, it should encourage the informal sector. If government part funds it, the money will still be in the system while it encourages participation and helps to obviate the effects of inflation,” he added.

  • Fayemi meets workers, artisans, others

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has allayed fears over the rumour that he plans to sack workers, saying that as a worker-friendly leader, he will never pursue policies that will cost Ekiti people their livelihoods.

    He made the clarification yesterday at interactive sessions with religious associations, Timber Traders Organisation, Tippers Owners/Drivers Association, NLC, NUT and artisans, among other groups.

    They in turn pledged their support for him in the July 14 election.

    At interactive meetings in various sessions in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, they said the confidence they had in Fayemi informed their decision to participate in the sessions to listen to his campaign messages and present their own demands.

    Timbers association members thanked the APC candidate for the right environment he created for their business between 2010 and 2014 when Fayemi was governor, saying that the gesture informed their decision to support him.

    They also thanked him for donating a bus to them as a mark of recognition, regretting, however, that the present administration of Governor Ayodele Fayose punished them for supporting Fayemi in 2014.

    They vowed to support Fayemi despite victimisation, even as the association warned members not to submit their voter cards to the Government House as allegedly being demanded by the governor.

  • Boosting growth prospect for SMEs, artisans

    Lagos is positioning itself as one of the leading economies in Africa amid a positive economic scenario. To sustain this, its Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has created programmes to support artisans and entrepreneurs with the potential to build competitive businesses, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

    While Nigeria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to create numerous jobs and boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), they face a myriad of challenges, which always hamper their growth.

    About 70 per cent of jobs created across the economy are said to have come from SMEs.  However, they are hindered by inadequate capital, limited market access, poor infrastructure, inadequate knowledge and skills and rapid changes in technology. Some of them have closed shops, while the existing ones are complaining about a hostile business operating environment. Consequently, SMEs have shown mixed results in their performance in recent years.  This has attracted government’s attention to consider developing policies and initiatives that will enable them survive, make profit and create jobs.

    Lagos is, however, taking steps to remove the obstacles on the way of SMEs’ growth. Addressing a ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the third year of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs   Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the government is taking steps to create  a  business environment, which enables  entrepreneurs  to  create new businesses  and  sustain  them from  start-up stage to growth and maturity.

    To close the financing gaps, she said the government, in collaboration with partners, has created initiatives to expand access to financial services among small enterprises.  Funders include Ibile Microfinance and the Lagos State Employment Trust fund.

    As the digital world rapidly evolves, making use of online marketplaces is increasingly integral to the success of Lagos’ diverse community of artisans and small businesses.

    To this end, the  state created the artisan virtual market platform project, an online portal, to connect skilled artisans and tradesmen with customers.

    The portal, she also added, is designed to address challenges faced by those in this sector by facilitating access to market and finance.

    Factored into the platform, she noted, are features for skills improvement, including training-vocational, numeracy and literacy to bridge the deficit in skills gap, which has plagued the sector.

    Working with the ministry towards the actualisation of the initiative is Flutter Wave Company, which is developing the platform/application and Microsoft Nigeria that is to host the platform in the cloud.

    Others include a paint manufacturer, Kansai Plascon Nigeria, which   is committed to training painters, who will be on the platform while Ibile Microfinance Bank and Sterling Bank are handling the payment gateway.

    The platform, according to her, will have tools that will expose the artisans to avenues for accessing loans through LSETF and other financial institutions. The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) is to capture the artisans for the LASRRA number required for the platform.

    Under the Tradesmen and Artisans Capacity Building Scheme, she disclosed that 1000 artisans were re-trained last year in collaboration with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).

    The scheme, she explained, was to equip the participants with technical and entrepreneurial skills with a view to enhanceing their efficiency, competitiveness and productivity. It was held for eight weekends across the state in five centres of Ado-Soba, Agidingbi, Epe, Ikotun and Ikorodu.

    The state government recognises that the emergence of new technologies has created an opportunity to address the needs of society to attain sustainable growth and development.

     

    Techpreneurs

    The commissioner said the growing number of techpreneurs, which is taking root in the state, is strongly drawing the attention of capitalists and more established firms to the state.

    To this end, she said the state government, through the collaboration of Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Ibile Holdings and other relevant stakeholders would be establishing an ICT hub in Yaba.

    She said the government has collaborated with Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (JHU-SAIS) to explore opportunities in the area of youth entrepreneurship and technological innovation in the state.

    The partnership, she explained, will focus on convening a forum to give techpreneurs opportunity to pitch to an audience that will include, but not limited to venture capitalists, industry experts, United States based techpreneurs and the academia.

    The collaboration was aimed at leveraging work JHU-SAIS is doing as regards sub-Saharan Africa in the area of youth entrepreneurship and technology and bridge the divide across tech ecosystem.

    Riding on a series of engagements with JHU-SAIS, Microsoft, General Electric, among others, an ICT summit was held between  April 23 and 26, 2018 in Washington DC. She  said the government sponsored 15 Lagos based techpreneurs and start-ups to participate at the event.

    The theme of the conference was: “The Role of Technoprenuer in Lagos State: An emerging Smart City”.

    She said the  Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment in collaboration with the Ministry of Health has designed a framework for the development of Health SMEs in the state and also secured approval of the State Executive Council for the programmes implementation which is about to commence.

     

    Health SMEs

    Health SMEs, the commissioner said is to collaborate with private sector to deliver quality health care services through the provision of financial support with the aim of creating wealth and employment.

    The development of Health SMEs, she added, is geared towards managing the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) that are non-functional to sustain the tempo of quality and affordable Health Care delivery to the  people of the state.

    She said the Ministry of Health has listed 45 under-utilised Primary Health Care (PHC) centres to kick start the programme with 12 private health service providers already identified and ready for takeoff.

    On graduate internship programme (GIP), the commissioner said last year’s programme was a pilot scheme with implementation in phases of 500 internship placement. She explained that 1800 candidates were screened while 910 were deployed to various private organisations.

    She said 460 interns were confirmed and accepted for the GIP. Out of those confirmed, 57were given either full employment or extension of internship for possible future employment with the organisation.

    In continuation of the project, she said a breakfast meeting was held in March with prospective employers and off-takers on the activities planned for this year’s internship programme.

    The programme, according to her, was facilitated by Employment Clinic International, with 100 organisations in attendance that have shown interest to off-take the Interns.

    Based on feedback from last year’s exercise, she said the GIS programme would be extended to six months, one month for training and induction; and five months internship with employers for the interns to learn more from the organisation they have been assigned, which might increase their chances of being retained.

    She said the ministry is planning a mindset re-orientation programme for 2,000 unemployed youths this year. The programme will include, employability skills training, career counseling, effective C.V writing, developing effective interview skills and job hunting strategy for the invited interns and Job fair as soon as possible. This is to prepare the candidate for this year’s GIS programme. 1,000 best participants on the programme would be giving Internship placement in the year as they would have been prepared for the work place through the training.

  • Rep to celebrate artisans

    A House of Representatives member representing Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North Federal constituency in Ogun State, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye has promised to organize a special celebration of artisans and craftmen.

    The federal lawmaker made this disclosure during an interaction with newsmen on the sidelines of an endorsement rally by the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in Yemoji Local Council Dvelopment Area, saying that the celebration was in honour of the immense contributions of artisans to the informal sector of the country’s economy.

    He said: ‘’This event will be the first of its type  and it is being organized to promote artisans and their skills to prospective clients who might be caught in their need of genuine craftmen , thereby protecting unsuspecting victims from quacks.

    ‘’Promoting  vocational trade especially against the tide of mass unemployment will help the economy a lot and get a lot of our jobless people engaged in  a meaningful  vocation. The Artsians’ Day will  celebration  will foster  cordiality  among the various  professionals who might have probably been seeing themselves as rivals.’’

    Responding to the unanimous resolve of party leaders to return him to the lower chamber for the third term, Hon Odeneye expressed his desire ‘’to keep empowering people  and engaging in socio-economic development of his constituents.’’

  • Artisans lament power outage in Kogi

    Artisans lament power outage in Kogi

    The Blacksmith, Welders and Iron Benders Association of Nigeria (BWIAN) in Kogi State has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello to rescue their business from imminent collapse.

    They berated the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for not keeping to its promise of distributing prepaid metres to customers after so many years. They lamented that their members in the central senatorial district, over 2,000, would soon be pushed out of the trade if urgent actions are not taken by the government.

    A statement by the association’s president in Kogi Central Musa Sa’id, and the branch chairmen of Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene and Okehi councils, said: “The AEDC, in the last three years, has been sending our members crazy bills for the electricity they did not consume.

    “More worrisome is the six hours’ light-a day, we get which, if evaluated, amounts to only seven days in a month. But the company bill us for 30 days.

    “We are tired of paying for the electricity we did not use. While disconnected, the bills keep coming. Many of us can no longer feed our families talk less of paying school fees. We get jobs but there is no electricity to execute them.

    “We have been asking AEDC to give us prepaid metres, but they deliberately refused to serve us because they want to continue cheating us”.

    The Liaison Officer, Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Haruna Ahmed Osike, who bemoaned the plight of the artisans, appreciated the government’s effort at encouraging people to learn a trade for self-reliance. He, however, lamented that the power situation is discouraging and may spell doom for the state and the country at large.

    AEDC’s Marketing Manager, Okene Business Unit, Mr. Olusegun Pelema, however promised that the association’s complaint will be forwarded to the company’s head office in Abuja for attention.

  • Oyo traders, artisans laud Gov. Ajimobi on ease of doing business

    Oyo traders, artisans laud Gov. Ajimobi on ease of doing business

    Traders, artisans, market men and women under the aegis of Tradesmen and Artisans of Nigeria, Oyo state chapter have lauded the support given to its members by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration, particularly the credit and loan facilities, training and retraining of traders and the conduciveness of the environment that has made it easier for the traders and artisans to remain in business.

    Particularly, the association commended governor Ajimobi for the recognition accorded traders and artisans in the state as well as the efforts at ensuring that many businesses didn’t fold up.

    President of the Association, Yisau Kolayode accompanied by other executive members of the association gave the commendation during a press conference to unveil programmes of events lined up to commemorate the 2018 artisan Day.

    The grand finale of the event slated for Saturday, March 17, at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan will also feature among others a solidarity walk, visit of medically and health challenged members, visit to the orphanages among other events.

    The highpoint of the event according to the President of the about 600,000 membership association would be the conferment of honours on deserving individuals in the state who have supported and contributed to the successes of the activities of the traders in different capacities over the years.

    Notable, wife of the governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi is to be decorated as the Matron, Mr. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho would be honored as the Babalaje while Mrs. Samson Victoria Adunola, Bovas petroleum boss would be installed as the Iyalaje of the association.

    Others are Pillar Ayo Adepoje to be honored as the Patron and Mr. Mutiu Oladejo who would be decorated as the Distinguished Guest of honor.

    The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan is slated to be the royal father of the day.

    Justifying the selection process for the awardees, the President stated that, while the Governors wife would be honoured on account of her support for her husband as well as upgrading the traders in the scheme of things in the state, the BOVAS petroleum boss would be honoured on account of her stance at making petroleum product available to the traders and artisans at government approved prices irrespective of situation, pointing out that the act alone has made it easier for artisans who depends on petrol as an alternative to power outages to remain in business.

     

  • Govt registers artisans, tradesmen

    Govt registers artisans, tradesmen

    Lagos State government yesterday began the registration of artisans and tradesmen to enhance their productivity.

    The exercise is aimed at  transforming and developing tradesmen, artisans, small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the state.

    Speaking at its launch  at Ovation Event Centre in Iyana-Ipaja, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment  Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the data capturing initiative would curb the rising rate of unemployment in the state.

    The exercise, she said,  would last for five weeks across the five divisions of the state.

    She said: ‘’The major objective of the initiative is to create capacity in the informal sector by stemming the tide of increasing rate of unemployment, endless  search for white collar jobs and more importantly  to halt the preference for artisans and craftsmen from the neighbouring countries.”

    The commissioner said a new software application had been designed as a platform to bring artisans and those who need their service together.

    “The initiative would modernise the workforce/SMEs by reconstructing competitive and business sustenance foundation on which exchange of goods and services occurs. It involves the loading of all registered/certified artisans and MSMEs products on a platform  i.e the Artisans Virtual Market platform where anyone in need of quality service of the artisans , tradesmen  and SMEs can get it just through a click on their phones or any online device,’’ she said.

    ‘’The payment gateway on the App is to be handled in conjunction with Ibile Microfinance Bank who will open bank accounts for the artisans and issue credit cards that will also double as identity cards by which the cash flow of the business operators can be clearly seen which will also give them the opportunity of accessing loan through a well authenticated platform.