NDE empowers  micro business owners in Ekiti

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has extended financial support to 98 microbusiness owners and operators  the Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. The disbursement, which took place in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, was part of the agency’s commitment to fostering wealth creation within society.

Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, the Director-General of NDE, emphasized the significance of the scheme in uplifting small-scale enterprises during the event. Through the Micro Enterprise Enhancement Loan Scheme (MEELS) facilitated by the Small Scale Enterprise Department of the Directorate, beneficiaries were carefully selected to receive support.

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Representing the DG, Sanusi Akeem, the NDE state coordinator, outlined the terms of the loan, stating that each beneficiary would receive N20,000 to bolster their microbusiness ventures. Fikpo reiterated the federal government’s unwavering dedication to providing employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, with the overarching goal of mitigating poverty nationwide.

Highlighting the objectives of the initiative, Fikpo outlined its aims to stimulate economic growth by granting financial access to petty traders and small business owners, enhance the operational capacity of existing microenterprises, and create job opportunities. He congratulated the beneficiaries on their selection and urged them to maximize the opportunity to augment their income-generating potential.

Furthermore, Fikpo praised the collaborative efforts of the Ekiti State government in partnership with the directorate, acknowledging their joint commitment to poverty eradication initiatives within the state. The loan, featuring a three-month moratorium and a one-year repayment period, aims to ensure sustainability and equitable access to future beneficiaries.