Presidential aide, Asefon, commends SMEDAN DG over undergraduate internship programme

The Senior Special Assistant To The President on Students Engagement, Sunday Dayo Asefon has commended the Director General of Small and Median Enterprises of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, for the successful launching of Undergraduate Internship Program at Baze University in Abuja.

Asefon lauded the SMEDAN boss for the innovative initiative program which aims at identifying, training, and empowering future entrepreneurs on campuses across the country with a target of 10,000 internship placements in the year 2024.

He assured the DG of the full cooperation and partnership of his office to drive the program across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria as he also appreciated several prestigious firms who have accepted to partner with SMEDAN by providing opportunities for students seeking practical knowledge and experience through the program.

Asefon called on Nigerian students to embrace the opportunity provided by SMEDAN by applying for the internship opportunities after which they will be opportuned to articulate their vision, present innovative ideas, and make a compelling case for their inclusion.

Odii unveiled Miss Farida Akuyam, a Business Management student at Baze university, as the pioneer participant of the program after SMEDAN accepted her application and further assured that with Baze University as the pioneer institution, students of universities and other higher institutions of learning across the country will also be offered the opportunity to take part in the program.

He emphasised that SMEDAN through the program will connect exceptional students with meaningful opportunities where they can gain firsthand experience in idea and business management alongside the development of market-ready products and services.

The  program was graced by the Acting Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Prof. Kathleen E. Okafor, and other senior management staff.