The Association of Nigeria Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) has said under Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, Nigeria will graduate from a consumer country to a productive country.
Sanusi Rikiji Mu’Alledin, a former speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly and leader of the group said this at a press conference in Abuja Thursday.
Mu’Alledin said positioning Nigerian artisans and technicians for optimal contributions and economic development in a new agenda for Tinubu’s administration cannot be overemphasised.
He said: “We believe that the artisans and the technicians are the service providers and they are the movers of the larger economy of this country. The micro economy of this country is in their hands.
“So, the best way to develop this economy by greater inclusion of Nigerians is by ensuring that the agencies concerned are overhauled to do what they are established to do by the law.
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“What we are saying is that provision must be made to scale up most artisans by bringing up technology thereby, improving the economy, the more wealth is created, the more peace and stability, insecurity bedeviling the country is addressed.”
He said the group had in December 2022 converged over 5000 artisans, who declared support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer, now president-elect, Tinubu.
Mu’Alledin added: “We launched operation 30:30 in which all Artisans and Technicians nationwide were tasked to mobilise 30 participants per polling unit in the country.
“Today, we congratulate Tinubu for emerging winner and the people’s choice by becoming a rallied force because of his sagacity, display of capacity, and great leadership skills, despite all challenges.
“As movers of Nigeria’s micro economy and service providers, we have been so much neglected in previous administrations.
“We therefore, appeal to agencies saddled with the responsibility to look after the functionality of Artisans and Technicians in the country, the incoming administration for a total overhaul of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, (SMEDAN); National Directorate of Employment, (NDE) and the Industrial Training Fund, (NDE) for effective economic revitalization to enhance productivity in the country.
“By improving on Small and Agro-Allied industries, creating employment opportunities, increasing our Gross Domestic Products, (GDP) addressing issues of youths restiveness and insecurity in the country.”
The group warned those trying to discredit the outcome of the presidential election saying: “We Artisans voted in the presidential election and we are more than ready to defend our votes.
“Elections have come and gone and Bola Ahmed Tinubu won squarely and fairly.”
