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ITF, SMEDAN NDE Have Failed in Their Mandates – ASNAT

The Association of Nigeria Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), in conjunction with the Rikiji Foundation have asked President -Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overhaul the small and medium scale enterprises development agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN, NDE, and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

The different bodies argued that as movers of Nigeria’s micro economy and service providers, they had been neglected for too long by previous administrations.

The coalition led by Sanusi Gusau, claimed that the aforementioned agencies saddled with the responsibility to look after the functionality of artisans and technicians in the country has failed to live up to their mandates.

Gusau who is the director of Artisans and Technicians, APC Presidential Campaign Council Directorate, made the call at a press conference in Abuja.

In his words, “We humbly call upon the leadership of the incoming administration for the total overhauling of agencies like the SMEDAN, NDE, and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for an effective economic revitalization and enhanced productivity in the country.”

The Artisans argued that such reform will improving on small and agro-allied industries thereby creating employment opportunities, increasing our Gross Domestic Products (GDP), addressing the issues of youth restiveness and insecurity in the country.

They warned that they would stop at nothing to protect their five million votes during the presidential poll in February this year.

“We would like to send out a strict warning to those who are trying to discredit the outcome of the presidential election, we are saying it loud and clear that we the artisans voted and contributed about five million votes to the presidential election and we are more than ready to defend our votes, elections have come and gone, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won fairly and squarely.”

They further called on those aggrieved with the outcome of the general elections to explore lawful means to address their grievances rather than indulge in sowing the seeds of discord in the polity.

The Artisans recalled that five months ago, the leadership of the association took it upon themselves to bring together over 5000 artisans and technicians nationwide for the sole purpose of publicly declaring support for Tinubu.

They noted that the event gave birth to the launch of operation 30:30 whereby l all the artisans and technicians nationwide were tasked to mobilize 30 artisans per polling unit in the whole of the country for the president elect.

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