Ikpeazu bags ‘SME Friendly Award’

Wider Perspectives Limited, a management consulting firm working with Governments of the South-East and South-South states to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has honoured Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State with an ‘SME Friendly Award’, for his support to the sector, regarded as the engine of growth of any economy.

The award was presented to Ikpeazu on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at the South-East Regional Stakeholders forum on ‘Ease of Doing Business’, held in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

Kalada Apiafi, managing director, Wider Perspectives Limited, explained that his firm bestowed the honour on the Abia State governor for his initiatives and interventions towards the growth of SMEs in Abia State.

Represented by Edughom Hanson, deputy managing director of the firm, Apiafi commended the governor for his efforts towards making Aba the economic hub of Nigeria by ensuring the right infrastructure is in place.

According to him, reconstruction of roads in the state, especially Aba, to aid ease of doing business in the state is a huge relief to the many businesses in the State and its environs.

“We also commend your support to give SMEs global exposure and linkage, through several interventions, such as the 30 shoe makers/entrepreneurs you sent to China to improve their skills and as well as putting together plans to ensure that the equipment they require to ensure seamless productions is provided”.

Apiafi also observed that the annual Made-in-Aba exhibition in Abuja, which resulted in the order of military booths and uniforms for graduates on National Youth Service (NYSC) by the Federal Government has increased the visibility of goods Made-in-Aba.

“You have supported many business fora to ensure that the necessary interactions between SMEs and SME development agencies are on-going.

“These include: the Abia State SME Forum (an Exhibition and Investment Forum) hosted annually by Wider Perspectives Limited. We have organised this forum for three consecutive years in partnership with the state government, which has developed a community of SMEs that we are supporting for sustainable growth

He revealed that Wider Perspectives Limited is also currently facilitating the South-East Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SEEDC) Graduate Loan Scheme, a project of the state government to support young graduates to build sustainable businesses.

The firm commended Governor Ikpeazu, for his sustained support towards fostering SME growth in Abia , stressing that he deserves the award as an SME Friendly Governor.

Meanwhile, the firm has concluded plans to host the 4th edition of Abia State SME Forum, scheduled for June 20, 2018. The theme is ‘Strengthening SMEs through Market Linkages and Industrialisation’.

GODFREY OFURUM