Gov. Ahmed calls for inclusion of entrepreneurship studies in school curriculum

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara  has called for the inclusion of entrepreneurship studies in the curriculum of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country.

The governor made the call on Thursday in Ilorin in an address delivered at the opening of a three day Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs)  clinics for viable enterprises.

According to him, entrepreneurship study was made compulsory at the state-owned  university in Malete.

He also said that his government had  established the International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) at Ajase-Ipo.

The governor said the institution was established  in partnership with  the Alfred University, New York,  to promote inclusive human capital development within the context of national middle level manpower needs and global trends.

“As we are all aware, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are one of the building blocks of any economy.

“They account for about two-thirds of total employment in developing countries and contribute about 50% to the GDP of developed countries.

“However, despite the potential of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to contribute positively to the economy, Nigerian entrepreneurs are constantly faced with challenges when starting a business or running one,” Ahmed added.

Citing  the  World Bank report on Ease of Doing Business 2017, the governor said  sub-Saharan Africa continues to be home to the economies with the least business-friendly regulations, with Nigeria ranked 169 out of 190 countries listed in the report.

“This validates the complaints by Nigerian entrepreneurs across the country concerning the barriers they encounter while managing their businesses,” he added.

The governor  described  access to finance as one of the issues MSMEs were facing in the country.

“It is no secret that the short term-high interest rates charged by banks on credit facilities are at the top of the list of problems entrepreneurs encounter,” the governor said.

Ahmed said  his administration had  put in place strategies to promote entrepreneurship, adding that  these include access to  capital at single interest rate and minimal paper work.

He  called on banks to provide long tenor funds at single-digit interest rate to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

“I also urge the Federal Government to simplify regulatory frameworks, introduce market-friendly policies and improve the overall ease of doing business in the country.

“No doubt, wealth and a high majority of jobs are created by small businesses started by entrepreneurially minded individuals, many of whom go on to create big businesses.

The governor assured entrepreneurs and businesses in  the state  of his government’s support and cooperation at all times.

“We pledge to continue to provide an enabling environment for businesses to operate.

“I urge entrepreneurs in Kwara State to take advantage of today’s programme  and the various support initiatives put in place by the federal and state governments to develop and expand  their  businesses,” he added.