Pursuing NASME 2020-2025 Blueprint is My Agenda – Osun Chairman

The new Chairman of the Osun State Chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Alhaji Ademola Akinromade has assured members of continued pursuance of the blueprint of the association.

Alhaji Akinromade gave the assurance on Tuesday during the association’s Annual General Meeting, AGM and inauguration of new State Executive members in Osogbo, Osun State.

He said his emergence as the Chairman was through the support and determination of members of the association whose support during his tenure would be highly needed to succeed.

“What we are doing in the association is a continuity. Recently a NASME strategic plan for 2020 – 2025 was approved by the State Association, all the aims and objectives will be followed by the new administration.

In this coming months, we shall work assiduously in line with the mission and vision of NASME to make the State Chapter more virile, get more quality members and make meaningful and noticeable change in the State, Akinromade said.

In a welcome remark, the immediate past Chairman of NASME, Evangelist Femi Ayedun had said he has no doubt that the new State executive of NASME would perform and live up to expectation.

He said” they are people of high sense of responsibility. They have been part of the successes story of the outgoing executive and I have no doubt in my mind.

“I have high expectations from them and I know that they will perform based on the already approved blueprint of the association”.

Delivering a lecture titled “Small and Medium Enterprises development in Post COVID Era: Challenges and Opportunities, a Development Consultant, Bukola Idowu noted that COVID19 has taught Nigerians a lot of lessons that should guide them in business engagement and activities.

He asserted that with discipline, resilience, expansion of vision and technological embracement, business owner would thrive in an enabling environment.

He berated lack of reasonable credit facilities and enabling environment for business to thrive in Nigeria, saying it is difficult to break even with the interest rate in the country.

“A businessman must be disciplined to manage finances. People must have interest before they go into it. The question is not about what is selling but your interest and your ability to survive.

“COVID shows that some businesses cannot succeed without savings. The government should just provide an enabling environment for business to thrive.

“Most of the improved economies the world over are driven by credit. Banking in Nigeria needs reforms. Why should an account be dormant? why should customer be charged for ATM maintenance? We need trustworthy system and strong institutions”, Idowu lamented.

He implored the association to lobby the State House of Assembly for favourable legislation that would assist their businesses.

“Do not engage in partisan politics because evey government of the day must be your friend and you should be able to lobby the legislators to have input in law making as it affects your business.

In a goodwill message, Chairman House Committee on Commerce, Osun State House of Assembly – Hon. Adebisi Jayeola promised that his committee would work with ministry of Commerce on alleged multiple taxation as well as provision of Industrial Policy for SMEs in the State.

Representative of the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Empowerment described Osun NASME as a serious association that is known for high level of integrity and could be recommended for other SMEs operators.

State Manager, Bank of Industry, Dr. Emmanuel Ojowuro, emphasised the role of integrity in business which the bank is enjoying from members of NASME.

Dr. Ojowuro noted that Osun State has one of the lowest nonperforming loans in Nigeria which is made possible through willingness and ability to pay back loans.

He said ” Osun NASME has integrity. We enjoy their willingness and ability to pay back loans. All our customer in this association have been very cooperative with us.

“Integrity is important and that is what we are enjoying in Osun. Your members have made things easier for us to do business in Osun.

“Multiple tax affects performance of businesses. We have met with the government, we are making case for you and the Governor has assured that something will be done on multiple taxation. The association has people of integrity. BOI is on ground to do more business with you” Ojowuro said.

Other members of the newly inaugurated executive are, the Vice Chairman, Pa Olufoye Popoola; Secretary, Mr. Olalere Sunday; Financial Secretary, Mr. Ganiyu Ibikunle; Treasurer, Mrs. Fadeyi Ekundayo; PRO, Mr. Babatunde Isaac; Social Secretary, Mrs. Esho E.A.

Mr. Atanda Dauda is the Assistant Secretary while Mr. Alabi Aremu and Evangelist Femi Ayedun are Ex. Officio 1 and 2 respectively.