The Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) on Monday, December 1, hosted beneficiaries of its Job Fair Programme, Pitch Competition winners, and members of the SHAN (C-Hub Alumni Network) Entrepreneurship Club to a strategic interactive session at the agency’s secretariat in Jos.
The engagement brought together individuals who recently secured employment through the Job Fair, young entrepreneurs who received funding through the PEACH Competition, and members of the SHAN Entrepreneurship Club—a network of CEOs under the age of 25, established through PLASMIDA’s secondary school entrepreneurship programme.
Speaking at the event, PLASMIDA Director General, Hon. Bomkam Ali Wuyep, congratulated participants for their achievements and encouraged them to share their knowledge and experiences with others. He said, “Your success is a reflection of your ingenuity, resilience, and the opportunities created by government initiatives. I urge you to mentor others, so we continue building a culture of entrepreneurship and job creation across Plateau State.”
Hon. Wuyep highlighted the agency’s role in reducing poverty and promoting economic empowerment through initiatives such as:
- Plateau Job Center, which connects youths to employment opportunities, career counseling, and training.
- Modular Basic Entrepreneurship Training Programme (MBETP), implemented with GIZ and GOPA Worldwide Consultants through the Inspire, Create, Start and Scale (ICSS) framework.
- Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Training, providing business development, coaching, and mentoring for MSMEs.
- Agric-Business Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), facilitating access to finance as a Central Bank-certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute.
- SLEMS Scheme, empowering youths, women, and start-ups across all 17 LGAs with diverse skills.
- Plateau-CARES, a post-COVID economic recovery initiative supporting businesses and households.
Hon. Wuyep commended the participants’ creativity, noting that the Pitch Competition winners stood out among over 120 competitors. “Your innovation and drive have earned you recognition, small business funding, and the opportunity to showcase your ventures in upcoming exhibitions. This is a platform to grow further and inspire others,” he said.
He also reminded participants that PLASMIDA remains a continuous resource for mentorship, training, access to markets, and financial literacy. “This agency is your home. Use these resources, continue to build your businesses, and help others along the way,” he added.
Daniel Awin, who came first in the Pitch Competition and serves as President of the SHAN Entrepreneurship Club, expressed gratitude to PLASMIDA. “It’s really an honor. From the start, PLASMIDA has empowered us with knowledge, funding, and guidance. Today, we are inspired to mentor others and give back to our communities,” he said.
The session closed with participants encouraged to leverage the agency’s programmes, not just for their personal growth, but to train, mentor, and empower the next generation of Plateau State entrepreneurs.
