FirstBank Sustainability Centre SME Conference to drive ‘Made in Nigeria Goods’

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, through one of its Sustainability initiatives, the FirstBank Sustainability Centre in partnership with the Lagos Business School 2017 SME Conference, aims to drive creativity, innovation and productivity among local manufacturers in Nigeria.

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are pivotal to the development of any nation’s economy. It is therefore imperative for public and private enterprises to nurture the sector to stimulate the production and patronage of local goods and services.

This will be the catalyst required to revive the economy as it would build a sustainable local business sector, generate income within the economy, create employment, and progressively move Nigeria from an import-based economy to an export-based one.

The SME conference with the theme, ‘Made in Nigeria: Driving Productivity and Competitiveness’ will explore the role of SMEs in ensuring the sustainable economic growth of the nation, especially at a time when the Nigerian government is looking to diversify its income base.

Ibukun Awosika, chairman, board of directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited will be the keynote speaker at the event. The conference will assemble various stakeholders for policy influencing conversations and advocacy, and inspire action on ‘Made in Nigeria’ products and services.

Gbenga Shobo, deputy managing director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Peter Bamkole , Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), are among the panellists at the event. Other panelists include Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder/CEO, House of Tara, Bosun Tijani, CEO, CCHub,  and Oluwaseun Onigbinde, Founder, BudgiT.

According to FirstBank’s spokesperson, Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank as the number one SME Bank in Nigeria understands the needs of SMEs and is able to provide bespoke solutions in promoting SME development.

“It is our sincere hope that this conference will create an exciting new landscape of opportunities for SMEs in Nigeria, boost capacity development and push the frontiers of economic empowerment initiatives in the long run”, she said. The event would hold on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the Lagos Business School, Lekki-Epe Expressway Ajah, Lagos and attendance is strictly by invitation.

HOPE MOSES-ASHIKE