The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has postponed its 18th micro, small and medium enterprises summit and exhibition scheduled to take place next Tuesday and Wednesday in Owerri, Imo state amid coronavirus spread.
This was made known by Eke U. Ubiji, executive secretary of NASME, in a statement made available to BusinessDay.
“This is to inform the general public that due to the recent coronavirus pandemic currently making waves across the globe and in line with directives from government on social distancing, NASME has officially postponed the 18th MSME Summit and Exhibition originally scheduled to hold next week,” Ubiji said.
“We were also informed that the Owerri airport has been closed down,” he said.
“We appreciate numerous corporate organisations that have put in their full weight behind this year’s summit and exhibition,” he added.
He stated that the association is watching the situation and will announce the new date for the summit in due course.
He added that NASME expresses its sincere apologies to any inconveniences the postponement decision might have caused its members, partners and corporate sponsors, among others.
Since December when the outbreak of the virus was reported in China, it has spread to 166 countries with over 200,000 cases and 9,000 deaths. Nigeria, Africa most populous country has reported 12 cases of the coronavirus.
To contain the pandemic, cities and regions across in Europe and Asia have been by and large shut down, putting halt to economic activities and obstructing supply chain as well as trade between countries.
Nigeria has recorded 12 cases with Lagos having nine, ogun two and Ekiti a single case.
Imo, where the NASME summit would have held next week, is yet to record any case.
Josephine Okojie
