Empowerment: KEDA trains over 100 women, youths on OFSP value additions »

Kogi Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA) under the leadership of MD/CEO, Hajiya Rekiya Onaivo Sanni celebrated her two (2) years in operation with a training and empowerment programme of over 100 women and youths in Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato value additions at the Glasshouse, Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.

The 2-day programme which took place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th September, 2022 commenced with a media parley at the KEDA office in Lokoja.

Hajiya Rekiya who addressed the press, shared the remarkable journey so far stressing that KEDA is committed to enhancing the capabilities of Kogi entrepreneurs and promised to continue to interface, equip and give them opportunities to compete globally.

The media parley was followed by the OFSP training flagged-off by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, PhD.

His Excellency commended KEDA for revolutionising the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state within the last two years. He further noted that the government is willing to provide support for the entrepreneurs urging them to take advantage of the training to improve their standard of living as the OFSP will guarantee wealth creation and economic prosperity for the state.

The KEDA boss in her welcome address shared KEDA’s success story so far, stating that more projects will be implemented to improve the SME sector including the women entrepreneurs.

She appreciated the governor for giving the agency the needed support to enhance the scope of SMEs in the state and the mileage to thrive. In their separate remarks, the commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Gabriel Olofu, and Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Victor Apeh, admonished participants to think differently as the opportunities of OFSP remain enormous.

The OFSP Consultant and lead facilitator, Mr Nduka Udeala lectured the participants on the Agronomic practices and intricacies of OFSP on the day 1 of the event.

The training which continued on the second day, Thursday 8th, had some select participants visit a farm settlement at Al-Azahar, Zango in Lokoja for an on-site demonstration of OFSP cultivation. The training was later wrapped-up at the Glass House with demonstration of the value additions of OFSP. Participants were trained using OFSP to make puff-puff, chips, and smoothies. The programme came to a close with the presentation of certificates and planting materials.

Other dignitaries present were: Commissioner of Information and Communications, Hon Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner of Environment, Hon Omafaiye Adewale, Director of women Affairs, Mrs Babatunde Motunrayo, SA to the Kogi State Governor on Concept and Actualisation among others.