Preparations are in top gear by the University of Ibadan to host it’s yearly SME Fair. Towards this end the University is inviting staff , students and members of the public to it’s 2024 Small and Medium Enterprises SMES fair kicking off tomorrow at the University international Conference Centre , Second Gate .
The SME fair which is scheduled for two days , Thursday November 7th and November 8th will have over fifty exhibitors and students entrepreneurs who will be on ground to display thier goods, services and innovations to members of the public. The event, themed “Moving the SME Global Community Forward through Technology, Innovation, and Creativity,”
Speaking on the importance of the Fair , the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Innovations and Strategic Partnership Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose ( SAN) whose office is handling the Fair said the Fair is a melting pot for entrepreneurs, students and members of the public to meet with one another, harness ideas , network , and sell thier goods and services.
She added that participants and exhibitors will have an enabling environment to interact with one another share thier ideas, get to know latest technological innovations with a bid to growing thier businesses , showcase thier talents , creativity and meet with partners that they can work together to drive thier businesses to greater heights.
Also, there will be opportunity for panel discussions, workshops, inter-university competitions among other incentives.
Prof. Bamgbose SAN while enumerating the importance of the SMES to national development said the SMES are the drivers of the economy and thier roles on national development cannot be overemphasized.
” Small industries are the ones that grow up to become big industries tomorrow. Small industries serves and provide for the big industries and therefore they are very important to the development of the country. If you know Dangote, you can as well ask how he started and other big companies you see today were small companies. Therefore it’s important to promote our SMES and give them the enabling environment to thrive and continue to strive. We at the University of Ibadan will continue to provide the platform for the gown to meet with the gown and we are using this medium to invite everyone to come for the Fair starting tomorrow till Friday. There is a lot to see, alot to benefit when you come around”.
The SME Fair is supported by Providius bank, Bank of Industry , CEO Africa and Uchekinzie Nigeria Limited.
