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Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, launched Nigeria’s largest Ultra-Modern MSME Fashion Hub in Enugu State.
This is just as the Federal Government approved the disbursement of a N150,000 grant each to a yet-to-be-ascertained number of business owners in the state.
Shettima said President Bola Tinubu is committed to creating a business environment that provides incentives and opportunities to transform MSMEs into formidable enterprises unyielding.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed Thursday, titled, ‘Again, FG doles out N150,000 grant each to business owners.’
Nkwocha said the expanded national MSME clinics is one of the FG’s strategies for ease of doing business in Nigeria through a series of business fora organised nationwide to provide on-the-spot solutions to challenges confronting MSMEs, with the first, second, third and fourth editions launched in Benue, Ogun, Ekiti and Jigawa States respectively earlier this year.
Speaking during the launch, the Vice President noted that the N150,000, which is an outright grant with no repayment requirement, reflects Tinubu’s commitment to nurturing MSMEs and fostering economic growth in the country.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, has mandated a grant of N150,000 each to be awarded to outstanding exhibiting MSMEs at today’s event.
“Let me assure you that this is an outright grant, with no requirement for repayment, reflecting our commitment to nurturing MSMEs and fostering economic growth,” the VP stated.
Shettima expressed satisfaction with the pace at which the FG is driving the growth and survival of the nation’s MSMEs, noting that it attests to the fact that “there is no thriving economy without robust small businesses.”
He praised the policy choices of the Tinubu administration, which, according to him, are based on the acknowledgement and foresight of the obstacles that threaten the nation’s economic existence.
The VP said Nigeria cannot advance as a nation without fully maximising the strength of its business community across regions and states.
“The only way we can achieve this is by standing united, from Abia to Zamfara, in pursuit of a shared objective.
“Small businesses account for 96 per cent of all businesses in Nigeria and contribute more than 45 per cent to our GDP. I am sure you understand what this means: without you, Nigeria would be nowhere,” he declared.
Shettima further noted that the 5th Expanded MSME Clinic is a platform for direct engagement with regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, BOI, CAC, SON, NEPC, SMEDAN, as well as financial institutions and business support organisations to ensure that MSMEs share their specific challenges with them on the spot and get instant solutions.
Earlier on arrival, the Vice President commissioned the ultra-modern Fashion and Garment Hub for MSMEs, which the FG had set up in collaboration with the Enugu State government.
He also took time to inspect ongoing work at the Enugu International Conference Centre being constructed by the state government as well as the progress of work at the Enugu Command and Control Centre and the Digital Museum at the Government House.
Speaking on the Enugu Fashion Hub, he said the business facility, along with other hubs established across the country, is a stepping stone to the desired economic height, even as he expressed the belief that the hub—the largest commissioned in Nigeria so far -will meet global standards and create about 48,000 jobs.
He continued, “Aside from standing as one of the largest we’ve commissioned, it is equipped with cutting-edge technology to support the fashion manufacturing cluster in Enugu State, boosting production capacity and enabling economies of scale.
“This hub has the potential to produce a wide array of fashion products, from military uniforms to school and corporate wear, meeting global standards and creating about 48,000 jobs in the process.
“We anticipate that the hub will be managed by a competent private sector entity, with federal and state governments providing vigilant oversight. We hope that this facility will redefine entrepreneurship and training, not only in Enugu State but across Nigeria.”
Shettima commended Governor Peter Mbah, for the state’s support in ensuring the establishment of the hub, noting that the federal government is looking “forward to partnering with Coal City State to make the Enugu Fashion Hub a centre of productivity and attraction.”
Earlier in his address, Mbah thanked the FG for its unwavering support to the government and people of Enugu State, manifested in landmark projects and initiatives that are impacting lives and livelihoods.
According to the Governor, Shettima’s presence in Enugu to launch the clinics and commission the ultra-modern fashion and garment hub has confirmed his status as a champion of small businesses in the state and a strong commitment to the sector’s growth.
Outlining some of the benefits that small businesses will derive from participating in the Clinics, Dr Mbah said the initiative aligns with the economic vision of the state government in the sector.
The governor said there is a convincing need to grow MSMEs in size and capacity given the potential for job creation, elevation of livelihoods and general economic transformation, noting that the newly commissioned fashion and garment hub will reinvigorate the entrepreneurship spirit in Enugu youths.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, pledged the support of the parliament for programmes anchored by the executive.
He specifically praised Shettima’s empathy towards the less privileged, stressing that leadership is really about identifying with the people and listening to the problems confronting them.
Also, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship training commended the efforts of the office of the Vice President for creating the enabling environment for small businesses to thrive through the Clinics.
He announced the commencement of a training programme for shoemakers across the country, stressing that skills acquisition is the key to closing the state’s unemployment gap.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai; some members of the National Assembly; Managing Director of Niger Delta Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije, and representatives of MSME Clinic partners, among others.
