AEA, Science & Tech. Dept Partner Over Entrepreneurship
By: Emmanuel Tortiv & Ngozi Dike-Nkemjika
The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) have concluded plans to strengthen Inter-Agency collaboration in order to improve Entrepreneurship skills for residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Director, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Olobashola Kolawole, revealed this during a courtesy visit by the top officials of the AEA to the Department of Science, Technology & Innovation, Thursday at Utako District, Abuja.
Kolawole expressed the need for stronger collaboration between his Department and AEA, especially in the areas of entrepreneural training and skill acquisition.
Other areas include Innovation, Content Development and Programme Enlightenment.
The Director stressed the importance of reviving the Abuja Young Entrepreneurship Club, which he said would be a valuable tool for the invocation of entrepreneurial culture among the youthful population.
He said it is pertinent for both Organizations to continue to work in synergy in order to develop and strengthen the entrepreneurial activities in the FCT, thereby improving the socioeconomic lives of the people.
Kolawole revealed that the DSTI will source for loans for her trainees while AEA will manage them by creating the platform where the money will be disbursed to the appropriate beneficiaries in order to improve their enterprises which will in return improve the nation’s GDP.
Responsing, the Ag. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AEA, Mr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, pledged not to disappoint the DSTI, but to also work towards executing the plans of collaboration.
According to Ugwuada-Ezirigwe: “as an Agency, disappointment is not part of our Corporate Image. We are an Agency that guides our integrity and honour. As a matter of fact it is the DFID that established this Agency and left us with a corporte culture that we have continued to guide which has to do with honour, respect and other worthy virtues.”
The CEO insisted that AEA and DSTI are serving the same catchment areas of the public which is similar and almost the same but wondered why the duo should not synergize in areas of collaboration to produce good results to the mutual benefits and celebration of both, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He regretted that the two Agencies have not been effectively collaborating, hence the need to revive the long standing relationship for ultimate benefit of the public .
