Dedication, resilience of members yielded progress – Dr. Yerima, President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises

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NASME President, Dr.Abdulrashid Yerima

By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

The President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima said despite numerous challenges faced together by members, resilience and dedication have yielded remarkable progress.

He noted that members have championed the cause of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs), advocating for better policies, and creating opportunities for growth and innovation.

Dr. Yerima made the remark in an acceptance speech after his reelection for a second term in Abuja over the weekend.

According to him, as the new executive embark on new tenure, it will continue to enhance advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voice of MSMEs is heard loud and clear at all levels of government.

He pledged the executive will intensify capacity-building initiatives, providing NASME members skills and resources they need to thrive in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

Besides, Dr. Yerima pointed out that focus will also be on fostering stronger partnerships with government bodies, international organizations, and the private sector.

“By working together, we can create a more enabling environment for MSMEs, facilitating access to finance, technology, and markets,” he said.

The President noted that priority will be given to empower women and youth in entrepreneurship, recognizing their vital contributions to economic development and social progress.

He expressed gratitude to the executive team, state chapter leaders, and all members whose relentless efforts have been pivotal in achievements achieved.

Dr. Yerima noted that: “I am confident that, with your continued support and active participation, we will achieve even greater milestones. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that MSMEs remain the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic growth.”

He said the re-election is not just a vote of confidence in his leadership, but a testament to shared commitment to advancing the interests and prosperity of small and medium enterprises across Nigeria.

At the election, Gadafi M. Asemanya, former Chairman NASME in Benue State, was elected new National Publicity Secretary of the Association.

Some achievements of Dr. Yerima executive in first tenure

Successful completion of unfinished activities left on the table of the last administration.

This includes 2021 MSME summit and Exhibition in December 2021 where we recorded the highest attendance in any NASME event. The CAC aggregation exercises.

New annual events for NASME

The International Women’s Day (IWD) was mid-wived in 2022. The NASME Youth Empowerment Conference was mid-wived by this administration in 2022. NASME 25TH Anniversary/Awards in 2022 where NASME presented Awards of excellence to over 120 deserving awardees in the MSME space across the country, Organization of the west Africa SME Exhibition in 2023, inauguration of the West SME Association in 2023 and monthly interactive sessions with NASME state chapter chairmen, women and youth coordinators

Business Ventures

Registration of NASME business consult Ltd, registration of NASME Microfinance, over N10 million direct and indirect stake holding in SMEDAN and Microfinance bank.

Others

NASME had engagement with UNIDO on investment, NASME collaborated with MTN MoMo to onboard over 1000 members as merchants, NASME facilitated incubation for 1000 NASME members, NASME partnered NBTI to provide office accommodation nationwide for Nano and Micro membership categories, NASME facilitated equipment for 27 Nano enterprises in the tailoring, Saloon, welding and vulcanizers, NASME Facilitated online payments for registration and annual subscription with interswitch, NASME collaborated with development bank of Nigeria in training our women and NASME collaborated with Wema bank in financial inclusion for nano and micro enterprises.

The rest are NASME is in a working group with the bank of industry to develop a product for artisan members of NASME in the six geopolitical zones organized by NEPC, NASME is facilitating a working capital loan from microfinance bank to interested NASME members and participating in the National MSME clinic organized by the office of the Vice President.