The Central Bank of Nigeria says it will produce 8000 entrepreneurs from Imo State yearly.
This was revealed by Dr (Amb) Obidiegwu, Resident Administrator,CBN-SEEDC Programme who said this feat could be achieved through the set up of the South-East Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SEEDC) in Imo State.
She also said the programme is in line with the commitment of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in creating employment and empowering thousands of Imo indigenes with entrepreneurial skills and getting them self employed and become employers of labour.
Dr. Obidiegwu revealed that the SEEDC is the initiative of Central Bank of Nigeria aimed at promoting a new strategic entrepreneur expertise for the purpose of reducing unemployment among the citizenry of Nigeria by establishing Entrepreneurship Development Centers in the six (6) Geo–Political Zones of Nigeria.
She said that the SEEDC – Imo State is one of the centres that will serve other South East States.
Dr. Obidiegwu said that it is her view that except the small and medium scale enterprises are developed and sustained, the nation’s quest to reduce unemployment may remain a mirage thus the need to facilitate and link the SEEDC programme through Imo State Ministry of Trade and Investment to ensure the establishment of SEEDC mobile training center in the State.
She further revealed that the programme will equip a minimum of 2,000 trainees per quarter with entrepreneurship knowledge and practical experiences required to start up and run a successful venture. A minimum of O’ level certificate is the requirement for participation in the programme.
Dr. Obidiegwu said that the programme is for the young, adults, pensioners and those who are already in agricultural business, but want to expand. According to her, Participation fee of N5000 .
She revealed that Governor Okorocha has paid for 1,500 Imolites to participate in the programme and a trained lecturer from Lagos Business School will train students who will be given certificates at the end of the programme. The certificate will enable them to get loans from the CBN to start up their business.
Speaking also, Anugom Ngozi Felicia and Christian Nwadike who are participants in the programme expressed their satisfaction at the quality of knowledge they acquired. Mrs. Nkechinyere Atasie, the Dean of South East Entrepreneur Centre Umuahia, Abia State said that the SEEDC/CBN training is a life changing venture and called on Nigerians to avail themselves of such opportunity.
In his remarks, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ojinere, Imo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment,stated that CBN – SEEDC training is a job creation initiative and those to benefit from the programme are unemployed graduates and undergraduates.He said the event is also aimed at re-orientating the youths towards being self reliant.
According to him, the South East Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SEEDC) is a Central Bank of Nigeria’s Entrepreneurship Development program which is focused on promoting a new strategic initiative aimed at developing the entrepreneurial expertise for the purpose of empowering participants with skills in entrepreneurship and agriculture and reduce unemployment among the citizenry of Nigerians in South East especially in Imo State
