Mobile firm pledges to fund local SMEs

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Lagos - Local small and medium organisations have welcomed a proposal by a mobile network operator to issue grants to such firms.

A cross section of the up-and-coming companies,  under the aegis of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria commended the move by Globacom saying it would empower members.

National President, Beaded Jewelries Designers Association, Betty Adepojuan said Globacom had again demonstrated its resolve to assist Nigerians break the shackles of poverty by empowering  micro, small and medium business enterprises.

She said the grants would lead to rapid economic growth at the grassroots.

The National President, Association of Small Business Owners, Dr Femi Egbesola, thanked Globacom for involving itself in the planning stage and made a case for business-friendly conditions to access the grants.

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Similarly, the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASSI), Segun Tayo Kuti-George made a case for the inclusion of kitchen enterprises like chips and fried plantain sellers in the grant scheme.

Welcoming Chairmen and Secretaries of the Business Member Organisations earlier to the inaugural meeting held at Radisson Blu, Lagos,  Head of Corporate Sales at Globacom, Kamaldeen Shonibare, explained that the partnership was to radically change lives by moving citizens "from grass to grace."

Shonibare observed that Globacom’s strategic partnership with major stakeholders in critical sectors of the economy had given the company valuable experience which would stand it in good stead in the SMEs empowerment programme.

Delivering a keynote address, Globacom’s acting Coordinator, Business Solutions, Ike Oraekwuotu described Globacom as the "game changer and acclaimed leader in pioneering innovations and offerings in the country."