*Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima commissions the newly-completed ultra-modern MSME Clinic, Fashion & ICT Hubs, in Makurdi, Benue State capital, stating the facility, and other hubs across Nigeria are the Federal Government鈥檚 intervention in fostering a conducive business and regulatory environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to thrive in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Established to match global standards with potential to create about 48,000 jobs for citizens of the state annually, Nigerian Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima, GCON, has commissioned the Ultra-Modern MSME Clinic, Fashion & ICT Hubs, in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

Speaking at the commissioning, Shettima noted the newly-commissioned project is just the beginning of greater things to come under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu鈥檚 administration.

The Vice-President, who stated this Tuesday, August 27, 2024, when he commissioned the MSME Clinic Fashion & ICT Hub, in Makurdi, the state capital.

He also expressed confidence that the hub would match global standards, with the potential to create tens of thousands of job opportunities annually in Benue State.

Government鈥檚 promises to entrepreneurs not mere rhetoric, says VP

Shettima, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice-President), noted that the speed at which the hub was built after the MSMEs Clinic was launched earlier this year is a clear indication that Tinubu administration鈥檚 promises to entrepreneurs are not mere rhetoric.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), Tuesday also stated Vice-President Shettima said: 鈥淭oday, as we commission this dual-purpose MSME Clinic, we bear witness to two critical truths. First, it proves that our promises to entrepreneurs are not mere rhetoric.

鈥淪econdly, it affirms that the most durable interventions we can achieve as a government are born from strong intergovernmental partnerships.

鈥淲e are delighted to witness the fruition of these projects, and I am honoured to be part of this milestone.鈥�

Senator Shettima further explained that the Benue Fashion & ICT Hubs and other hubs as well as shared facilities established across Nigeria are the Federal Government鈥檚 intervention targeted at fostering a conducive business and regulatory environment for MSMEs in the country to thrive and prosper.

The Benue MSME Hub, according to him, is one of the largest ever commissioned by the Federal Government.

SON, CAC, SMEDAN, others available for regulatory support, services

He said, 鈥淲ith over 200 pieces of cutting-edge equipment to support fashion manufacturing and more than 100 ICT devices in the cluster, this hub has the capacity to ramp up production, provide ICT training, and achieve economies of scale.

鈥淚t is equipped to produce a wide range of fashion items, including military uniforms, school uniforms, and corporate wear, both for Benue State and beyond.

鈥淏eyond providing this cluster, the hub will also house a one-stop shop where MSMEs can engage directly with Federal Government agencies to resolve their regulatory issues鈥�.

The one-stop shop, he further explained, will ensure that businesses requiring support or services from agencies, such as NAFDAC, BOA, CAC, ITF, SON, NEPC, SMEDAN, and others can be attended to under one roof at the MSME Clinic, Fashion and ICT Hubs, in Makurdi.

Federal, State Governments鈥� collaborations to create more opportunities for Nigerians

VP Shettima expressed the Federal Government鈥檚 readiness to partner with state governments in Nigeria.

The statement also noted the government鈥檚 resolve to continue to create opportunities that meet the country鈥檚 demands, saying interventions, such as the MSME Clinic, Fashion and ICT Hubs represent.

Shettima declared that MSMEs are the lifeline of communities across the nation.

According to him, they are the bedrock of stability at a critical phase of the country鈥檚 economic transition in times like this.

It would be 鈥渋mpossible to grow the Nigerian economy if the growth and success of MSMEs do not remain a top priority,鈥� stated he.

The Nigerian Vice-President as well acknowledged the numerous challenges preventing the growth and prosperity of MSMEs in Nigeria.

He stated the Tinubu administration is already providing interventions to address these constraints.

Shettima said: 鈥淲ith a strong resolve to tackle these challenges, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has provided interventions like the Benue Fashion Hub and other hubs established across the nation.

鈥淭hese hubs support MSME clusters across various industries, including fashion and textiles, leather, ICT, agriculture, and cold room facilities.

鈥淲e look forward to establishing additional clusters for mechanic cities, printing, barber shops, shoemaking, and wellness later this year.鈥�

The Vice-President commended what he described as the visionary leadership of Governor (Rev. Father) Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State, and his dedicated team.

According to him, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs and other partners, have worked tirelessly with the team from the Presidency to ensure swift delivery of the MSME facility hub in the country for fashion and ICT.

In his remarks, Governor Alia lauded the Federal Government and Vice-President Shettima for fulfilling the promise to establish a fashion and MSMEs hub in the state.

Alia stated: 鈥淭he project represents more than just an infrastructure; it is an embodiment of our collective vision for a prosperous, creative and empowered Benue State.鈥�

Appreciating VP Shettima, the Governor said he was deeply honoured to welcome the VP to Bene State for the second time in less than a year, noting that his commitment to the growth of the country is evident in his support for initiatives that uplift communities and empower the citizens in the state.

The governor said: 鈥淵our visit to Benue State, for the second time in less than six months, is a testament to the partnership between Benue State and the Federal Government, and we deeply appreciate it.

鈥淭he Benue State fashion hub, which is your initiative and a gift to the state, is a corner stone of our administration鈥檚 agenda to promote creativity, foster innovation, create employment and provide opportunity for our people.鈥�

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