Eradiri Bows Out, Ends Tenure As DG, BYMEDA
Renowned SME Advocate cum Management Consultant, Mr. Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri, has colourfully bowed out and ended his 4-year tenure as the Director-General, Bayelsa State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (BYMEDA).
In a press statement dated August 02, 2020 and personally signed by him, the SME Expert recounted his experience, poured encomia and openly appreciated the immediate past and incumbent leadership of the Bayelsa State Government, several individuals from diverse sectors of the economy, corporate financial and banking institutions amongst others that one way or the other contributed to or were boosters to his success in service to the Bayelsa Government.
Below is an unedited version of the press statement:
THE END OF AN ERA - MY EXPERIENCE GROWING THE BAYELSA SME SUBSECTOR
Indeed, it has been a privilege and opportunity to serve my dear Bayelsa State as a political appointee in various capacities to grow the Small and Medium Enterprises Subsector from May 2012 to July 2020.
It was a difficult decision then to put on hold my thriving businesses to join the team and serve in driving the SME subsector for Wealth Creation, Job Generation, Boosting the Internally-Generated Revenue base as well as gross state product.
I had managed successfully my businesses as a private sector person and brought same acumen to the public service with a passion to accomplish the desired objectives of Government.
In my period of service, I worked with different teams to achieve set goals but the bureaucracy of Government and political exigencies vis-a-vis my private sector grooming to realise timely delivery of given tasks set me on collision paths with a few colleagues for which I extend apologies over my actions or inactions (if any) that didn't meet their expectations but remain glad at the camaraderie, synergy and support to deliver the tangible, visible and verifiable proofs of SME Ecosystem Legacies left behind to the best of my knowledge for the benefit of all Bayelsans.
Sequel to the quantum of SME Development, efforts under my purview hallmarked with the establishment of the Bayelsa Garment Factory, Bayelsa Tech Hub, ICT Incubation/Prometric Testing Center @ University of Africa, Toru-Orua amongst others that are work in progress such as the Leather-Works Factory, the Bulk Fabrics/Accessories Merchandise Depot, the Plastic Factory Machinery Hub, BYMEDA Learning Center and the Entreprenureship, Innovation and Technology Park of the already-initiated phasewise SME Flagship Scheme known as the Bayelsa Enterprise Start-up Hub (BESH) aimed at birthing a minimum of 15,000 to 20,000 Decent Jobs (Direct & Indirect).
Furthermore, the humongous access to finance programs which provided support for acceleration of Wealth Creation of Local SMEs, Building Entrepreneurial Capacities strong enough to change the narratives for Youth to be ''Job Creators and Not Job Seekers'' with Bayelsa State Government being an "Enabler and Not a Stopper''.
Consequently, I am eternally grateful to God Almighty and the Leaders of the Bayelsa State Government (Past and Present) namely: H.E. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson (Former Governor, Bayelsa State of Nigeria), Dr.(Mrs.) Rachel Dickson (Former First Lady of Bayelsa State), H.E. Rtd. Rear Admiral Gborigbiogha John Jonah (Former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State), H.E. Senator Douye Diri (Governor of Bayelsa State of Nigeria), H. E. Gloria Diri (FirstLady, Bayelsa State), H.E. Senator Lawrence Erhuwdjakpo (Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State), Prof.Edmund Allison Oguru (Former Secretary to State Government), HRH (Barr.) David Serena Dokubo-Spiff (Former Secretary to State Government), Barr. Kemela Okara (Former Secretary to State Government), Rt.Hon. Friday Konbowei Benson(Secretary to State Government).
There were many other political leaders, colleagues and institutions that were instrumental to the successes of my sojourn as follows in no mean order: Hon. Stanley Braboke (Immediate Past Bayelsa Commissioner for Trade), Late (Hon.) Ayakeme Masa (Former Bayelsa Commissioner for Trade), Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere (Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly), Hon.Peter Akpe (Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor, Bayelsa State) Mr. Warmate Jones Idikio (Director General, Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce/Founder AfCFTA Roundtable), Permanent Secretary P.O.E Abah (Esq), Mr. Cyril Akika (Former Special Advisor to Governor on Investment), Mr. Tam Alazigha (Group Managing Director, Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation), Mr.Daniel Iworiso-Markson (Former Commissioner of Information), Hon. Jonathan Obuebite (Former Commissioner of Education), Mr. Patmore Duate Iyabi (Former Commissioner of Finance), Mr. Maxwell Ebibai (Immediate Past Commissioner for Finance), Mr.Timipre Seipulou, Late Mr. Ifiemi Ikpaikpai, Dame Didi Walson-Jack (Former Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Govt. House), HRH (Barr.) Collins Daniel, Eniye Ambakederemo, Mr.Solomon Apreala (Former Chief Economic Advisor to Governor), Freda Bruce, Hon.Collins Cocodia (Former Commissioner for Labour), Dame Grace Fiepere, Mr. Iro Komonibo, Mrs. Josephine Ketebu- Thompson, Mr. David Agonodi and the entire Bayelsa Ministry of Trade Staff, Mr. Goodman Arogo and the entire BYMEDA Staff, Chief Joseph Alla and the Bayelsa Cooperative Society Apex, Nengi Rufus Spiff and the entire Izon Microfinance Bank Staff, BYMEDA Global Business Development Support Providers, African Union Commission Department for Trade and other Development Financial Institutions, Mr.Godwin Emefiele (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria), Mr. Olukayode Pitan (Managing Director, Bank of Industry), Mr.Jonathan Tobins, Dr. M. A. Olaitan (Former Director, CBN - DFD), Mr.Waheed Olagunju, Mr. Abariowei Ifidi, Mr.Stanley Oruyeigha, Mr. Patrick PA Okon, Mr. Ono Kevin Akpe, Dr.John Idumange, Mr.Ajibola Soji, Mr. Success Onyeanuna, Mr. Tony Adams and a host of others.
I really appreciate you all on the occasion of my end of tenure as Director-General of Bayelsa State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency and working with you through the years it is my prayer that God rewards you immensely,
I am going back to private sector as a Management Consultant hopefully using my ISO 20700 Global Certification to impact worldwide and as a devout SME Advocate in the African Continent.
I shall continue to play my roles from any corner of the earth to bring about exponential and experiential economic growth for the prosperous Bayelsa of our Dreams.
May God bless the glory of all Lands - BAYELSA!
E. J. Eradiri,
SME Advocate/Fmr. DG, BYMEDA
August 02, 2020.
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