The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima today commissioned the Federal Government’s state-of-the-art Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) hub for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as well as the newly refurbished State Library complex housing the hub.
He said the ICT hub is a part of the pledge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support every venture that summons the courage to redefine the future of work, skills, and industries in Nigeria.
The Vice President also commissioned two newly acquired Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets (100-seat capacity each) for use by the state-owned airline – Cally Air.
He further launched the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinics in the state, saying it is part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to bring the Federal Government’s support directly to the doorstep of businesses across the country.
Speaking in Calabar during the launch of the MSME clinic, Senator Shettima announced the disbursement of N250,000 unconditional grants each to outstanding business owners in Cross River State, as part of ongoing efforts to support MSMEs across the country.
He said, “The MSME Clinics, such as the one we launch today, are designed to bring the Federal Government’s support directly to your doorstep. Here, entrepreneurs can interact with the Corporate Affairs Commission, NAFDAC, the Bank of Industry, SMEDAN, and other critical agencies. Here, challenges are met with solutions, not promises deferred.
“And because excellence must be rewarded, I am pleased to announce, on the directive of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that each outstanding MSME exhibiting here today will receive an unconditional grant of ₦250,000. This is not a loan. It is a gift to accelerate your journey.”
Shettima drew attention to other interventions under the Tinubu administration such as the creation of a N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund being administered by the Bank of Industry (BoI), and a N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme to support one million nano businesses across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria with grants of N50,000 each, and N75 billion Manufacturers Fund for manufacturers to access up to N1 billion in funding at a 9 percent interest rate.
Noting that at least one manufacturer in Cross River State would have benefited from the N75 billion fund already, the VP said the commitments being made are not just confined to loans and grants, even though they are critical.
At the core of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, according to him, is a commitment to create an environment where MSMEs not only survive but thrive.
“We are here in pursuit of our promise to build an ecosystem that eases the struggles of our entrepreneurs, provides the infrastructure that fuels creativity, and unleashes the innovative spirit of our people,” he declared.
Shedding more light on the MSME Clinics, Shettima noted that no nation in the world can prosper beyond what its small businesses promises, even as he said beyond being the lifeline of the citizens, they are also the pillars upon which the nation’s economy stands.
He said: “When His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took charge, he did not only guarantee access to capital. He pledged to support every venture that dares to redefine the future of work, skills, and industries.
“The world today is shaped by the wave of digital technology, and so the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Information, Communication and Technology Hub for MSMEs in this beautiful state could not have come at a better time.
“This is our eighth stop, our 8th Expanded National MSME Clinics, and like those before it, the hub we commission today is our investment in tomorrow. We are living in a digital century where technology is no longer a luxury but a lifeline.”
The Vice President hailed Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, for his support and leadership in promoting infrastructure, saying the commissioning of two Bombardier CRJ1000 aircrafts “to boost air travel, not only invites the world to the People’s Paradise but also makes it a safe destination for investments”.
Earlier, Governor Ottu said the state government believes in the reforms of the Tinubu administration and is keying into every facet, acknowledging that the administration is “building a formidable economy that will sustain and stand the test of time.”
He also pledged the support of the government and people of Cross River State for the Tinubu administration and its aspirations, while reeling out what his administration is doing to support growth and development of MSMEs across the state.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Tinubu remains unwavering in his support for small businesses in Nigeria, and has demonstrated same through policy reforms, special interventions and provision of critical infrastructure across the country.
He commended the passion and determination of the Vice President for the MSME space by personally encouraging and supporting activities in the sector through the clinics and related interventions, just as he noted that his efforts will positively transform the space in the near future.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, described the MSME Clinics as a unique initiative of the Federal Government that is transforming ideas of budding and established enterpreneuers across different sectors.
He said the vision of establishing shared facilities for MSMEs across the country was prompted by the desire of the Federal Government to intentionally address key challenges confronting small businesses.
Also, the Director General of the Cross River Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA), Mr Great Ogban Usetu, said the Expanded National MSME Clinics is an opportunity that to ride on, network, share ideas, resources, and transform lives and livelihoods in Cross River State.
Commending the efforts of President Tinubu, the DG said, “Because we have a caring President and listening Governor, small business operators in the state can turn small dreams into great platforms and activities that will positively impact the society.”
Also present at the event were, Senator Eteng Williams; Senator Francis Fadahunsi; some members of the House of Representatives; the Deputy Governor of Cross River, Hon Peter Odey; Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvet Ayambem; members of the State House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council, and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, among others.
