The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on Wednesday unveiled 84 recipients of its MSME Impact Awards as part of the forthcoming 25th Anniversary Lecture and Awards Nights holding at the Ibom ICON Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo on the 12th of November, 2022.
Africa’s prominent business promoter, Mr. Tony Elemelu, CFR; Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State, Amb Maryam Yelwaji Katagum and the Dangote Foundation have been nominated for the Distinguished Impact Award by NASME.
Also among those to receive the prestigious Impact Award are 84 other individuals and organizations who have made remarkable impact in their various fields of entrepreneurial development.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos today to herald the 25th anniversary of the Association, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Engr Abdulrashid Yerima said the aim of the award is to stimulate entrepreneurship consciousness and reward innovation, creativity and hard work among Nigerians despite the odds.
Yerima said that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Special Guest of Honour would confer the awards on the recipients in Uyo. While Mr Jean Bakole, the Country Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will be the Keynote Speaker.
He said that MSME development is of critical importance to productivity in the realisation of the country’s economic emancipation, adding that “no nation can be self-reliant and competitive in the international market without the development of the MSME sectors of the economy”
Yerima further said that ‘‘Without MSMEs, no nation can enhance the quality of life of its citizenry as well as be self-reliant and competitive in the market. MSME is indeed the most important determinant of socio-economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and overall improved standard of living”.
He said NASME is committed to the overall socio-economic growth and MSME development as means towards improving the standard of living of Nigerians.
He said that the NASME Award Committee, an independent Committee made up of eminent Nigerians from diverse background had, after a thorough screening exercise, recommended 89 individuals and organizations drawn from all sectors of the economy for conferment of SME Impact Award at this year’s NASME Award Night.
Among the award winners are, Leo Stan Ekeh of Konga, Kayode Pitan, Wale Fasanya, Unubiko Foundation; LSETF, Ubadigbo Okonkwo; Jach Rich; Lanre Oniyitan, Degun Agboade; Amb Maryam Katagum; Obiora Madu, NPF MFB Limited; SMEDAN, PAWED, NBTI, Opportunities Industrialization Centre (OIC); NIRSAL; Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
Other organizations include, Konga, UBA, Ecobank; Access Bank; Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Delta State Government, Bauchi State Government and Borno State Government.
The 25th Anniversary celebrations will be a wonderful, great programme for everyone to enjoy, it’s something that’s exciting and people who are coming to Uyo will be in for a surprise’ the statement added.
