Owena Press Chair Says SMEs Are Vital to Economic Growth
The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Owena Press Limited, Mr. Kayode Fasua, has underscored the critical role that small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) play in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, particularly unemployment and poverty.
Fasua highlighted the importance of SMEs during a meeting with officials of Oxygen Finance Limited at the Owena Press headquarters. He lamented the high level of unemployment among Nigerian graduates, attributing the situation to limited job opportunities and stressing that strengthening SMEs can help absorb job seekers into productive ventures.
According to Fasua, SMEs serve as engines of economic growth because they promote job creation, foster innovation, and support local wealth creation. He commended Oxygen Finance Limited and similar organisations for offering credit facilities, saying such interventions complement government efforts to improve citizens’ standard of living.
Calling for a collaborative approach, Fasua assured that Owena Press — with its extensive reach through print, magazine and online platforms — is well positioned to support partners in promoting economic empowerment initiatives. He emphasized that effective information dissemination can amplify the impact of programmes designed to uplift entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Representatives of Oxygen Finance Limited highlighted the company’s nearly 18 months of service, noting that it provides loans, asset financing and flexible payment options to federal government employees and other clients. They stated that the organisation places high priority on customer welfare and has taken steps to address past technical issues affecting its users.
Fasua expressed optimism that partnerships between media organisations and financial institutions can catalyse sustainable economic development by supporting SMEs — a sector he described as crucial to expanding economic opportunities across the Southwest and beyond.
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