The National President of Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Dr Abdulrashid Yarima said despite numerous challenges, the association has achieved remarkable progresses.

This was contained in a statement by the newly-elected national publicity secretary Hon Gadafi Mohammadu Asemanya Jnr.

The statement noted that members championed the cause of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs), advocating for better policies and creating opportunities for growth and innovation.

He explained that as the new executive embark on a fresh tenure, it would continue to enhance advocacy efforts until the voice of the association is heard at all levels of government.

Beside this, he said focus would be on fostering stronger partnerships with government bodies, international organisations, and the private sector.

According to him, some achievements of the executive in the first tenure includes 2021 MSME Summit and Exhibition in December 2021 where it recorded the highest attendance in any NASME event, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) aggregation exercises, the International Women’s Day (IWD) midwifed in 2022 and NASME Youth Empowerment Conference organised in 2022, among others.

The statement noted that the election was graced by representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Development Bank of Nigeria; Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); Industrial Training Fund (ITF); Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); Bank of Industry (BoI) and host of others while highlighting government’s support for the growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The statement noted further that the presence of those agencies underscored the importance of the sector to national economy and government’s commitment to fostering a favourable business environment for SMEs.

This was why the publicity secretary said the election process was conducted smoothly, adhering to the association’s guidelines and ensuring transparency and fairness.

Asemanya Jnr stressed with joy that this is the first time an indigene of Benue state would be elected into the national executive council of NASME.

He therefore thanked NASME family for returning Dr Yerima as its national president while he urged those who lost to close ranks for the betterment of the association.

At the occasion, the special adviser to the president on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice President Dr Tope Fasua was present to witness the event.