AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Enugu State Government has launched the State Business Digitization Programme under its Youth and Small Medium Entrepreneurs scheme.
The programme, coordinated by the State Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with GetFoundedAfricaTechnologies, was held on Thursday at the State Secretariat Auditorium, Enugu GRA.
In attendance on the occasion were starter youth in business and top government officials. Among the government officials at the venue were Commissioners and Representatives from state Ministries.
Commissioners for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke; Labour and Employment, Chika Ugwuoke; including Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, expressed hope that the initiative would gainfully engage the youth as well as boost the economy of the state.
Governor Peter Mbah, who declared the event open through the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, said that the purpose of the programme was to equip and mobilize the youth and the SMEs in digitization programme.
He noted that the importance of digitization in modern world technology cannot be overestimated.
Ekweremadu said, “We are leveraging on social media now and anyone who goes online can see what you do through digitizstion. Digitization makes your business easier to be accessed by your customers.
“It builds your customer base. It also improves your customers engagements. Though, there are challenges of migration process but going digitization is best way to transform your business.
“The governor is concerned about this and that is why he is committed to building about 40,000 people to build the economy through the digitazation space.”
He added, “Digitization transformation is essential to the state and the youth.The programme is not about sharing money but to empower the youth through digitization. I employ the media to spread the message to ensure that the support system is sustained and it gets to the targeted audience such as capenters, electricians, plumbers, auto mechanics, barbers, hairdressers, makeup artist and host of them”
Meanwhile, the co-founder of GFA Technologies, Emmanuel Tunji Oke, stated that “We are committed to solving economic problems through digitization.
Oke added, “Nigeria and Enugu State greatest asset are the people which the youth are the majority. This is an opportunity to make the necessary materials available to the youth and SMEs to enhance their businesses through digitization.
“His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah is determined to put the infrastructure for his people who are willing to take up the programme. His commitment for this programme is enormous, that is why we are here. We realize that to empower the youth to make money, digitization must be given to them and that is why we entered into partnership with WEMA bank as a financial institution to provide the needed financial support.”
The Representative of WEMA Bank, Precious Inikore took time to explain the importance of obtaining loan in the bank.
The youths who were in attendance said that they were happy with the digitization programme, calling for its sustainability.
The Enugu Business Digitization Programme was unveiled by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ekweremadu on behalf of the governor.
Recall that the digitization of businesses for youths and SMEs was launched in Lagos, Ogun and Ebonyi states ahead of Enugu State.
