In collaboration with Global Sight Nigeria, the Kano State government has trained the leaders of artisans and technician associations in Kano on how to upscale their business to higher levels.
On Wednesday, 165 associations from across the state attended the training in Kano. They had the opportunity to meet with various government agencies that can help develop their businesses.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCPC), and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) were in attendance.
The group leaders were enlightened on the need to stay abreast of government agencies’ functions and the opportunities they can enjoy in building their businesses beyond their current state.
They are also trained on the importance of good communication, which will transform their leadership style into a more functional one.
Speaking at the event, the commissioner for investment, commerce, industry and cooperatives, Wada Sagagi, who was represented by the director general of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Nasir Mansur, reminded the leaders of their responsibilities.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I will not conclude without commending the efforts of the management of Global Sight Nigeria Limited for providing this platform to learn, network and grow.
Therefore, let us use this golden opportunity to collaborate, share insights and return to our businesses with renewed energy and hope.
“Finally, you should all remember that leadership is not about being in charge but also about taking care of those you charge. Together, let’s transform challenges into stepping stones for success,” he stated.
Also speaking to LEADERSHIP, the director general explained that the one-day training is to equip leaders of artisan associations across Kano with leadership qualities contrary to the wrong perceptions about leadership.
“The training is just a leadership training to equip the leaders with leadership skills so that they can manage their associations well.
“From what we have gathered from the presentations, it is not just enough to call yourself a leader. A leader must be knowledgeable, be an agent of change and be able to move his organisation from where it is to where it is supposed to be,” he said.
For his part, Dayo Bello, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Sights Nigeria Limited and convener of the Nigeria Artisans and Technicians Conference, which is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and relevant MDAs, announced that the conference will be held in Kano this year.
“We are a solution-providing company, and we have so much belief in our MSMEs. If we sit down and fold our arms, it will affect all of us.
“We are just trying to upscale their skills, let them get up to the standard,” he stated.
He described the efforts as a collective effort by private organisations, the government, and others to come together and provide solutions to Nigeria’s growing economic problems.
“They will talk to them about their policies and how the policies will benefit them.
“There are agencies of government that are going to talk to them about how they can benefit.
“Somebody even told me that CAC will be doing registration at a lower rate for the participants during the event,” he said.
Also speaking on the leadership training, Dayo explained that the leaders need to be trained to discourage the concept of being leaders just for the name.
“We are looking at a situation whereby we can reframe the minds of our leaders so that the associations can start benefiting.
“Government cannot talk to everybody, in an association where you have like 1000, 2000, 10,000 people and they have only one leader who gets the information from government and understands how to disseminate that information to his people, then you will find out that government will not have so much worry” he stated.
He reminded groups of artisans and technicians of the Nigerian artisans and technicians programme, which is coming up from the 26th to the 30th of this month. About 30,000 participants are expected in Kano.
They will be in Kano to learn about government policies, see how they can benefit from them, make personal contacts, meet people, and get new ideas.
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