Vice President, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Tuesday, disclosed that
President Bola Ahmed has unveiled plan to establish a world-class fashion hub in Makurdi for use by small businesses in tailoring cluster in the state.
The vice president, who was in Makurdi the Benue state capital for the First Expanded National MSME Clinic, said the hub would be ready in 90 days.
He said the occasion was not just a fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise of job creation and accessible capital to Nigerians, but also a homage to the unparalleled spirit of industriousness that defines the people of Benue state.
He described Benue as a land known for its commitment to hard work, excellence in art, pursuit of creativity, elevation of agriculture, and promotion of commerce.
According to him, the situation stand as a testament to the remarkable productivity ingrained within the core of Benue State.
He noted that the reputation earned by the diligent efforts of every person in the food basket of the nation was a beacon of inspiration for every one, and he was honored to join the people for the clinic.
“There’s a reason we are holding this expanded National MSME Clinics, the first of its kind by this administration, in this beautiful state.
“It’s to recognise the role Benue State has played in offering the nation a means of trade and a vehicle for driving the MSME subsector towards our objective.
“The pioneering spirit of Benue State has set the stage for a transformative MSME Clinic train.
“Following this trailblazing journey, the MSME Clinic train is scheduled to traverse Ebonyi, Ogun, Delta, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, and the FCT in a meticulously planned itinerary for the first half of the year.
“The crescendo of this monumental effort will culminate in the National MSME Awards set to grace the FCT on the 27th of June 2024, a fitting celebration to commemorate the United Nations World MSME Day.
“Our MSME Clinics stand as symbols of empowerment, a nexus where dreams meet opportunity, where innovation thrives, and where the spirit of entrepreneurship is nurtured by strategic governance.
“Therefore, we must seize this moment to forge a path of prosperity, to leverage the resources at our disposal, to create a thriving ecosystem for the growth and success of our micro, small, and medium enterprises,” he added.
Earlier, governor Hyacinth Alia in his speech at the occasion said commended the federal government for making Benue the first and said the state will continue to foster effective collaboration with the President Tinubu administration for more development projects in the state.
He commended the federal government for hosting of the clinic in Makurdi, saying it has consolidated the relationship building with the federal government adding the state teaching hospital has already benefited from 250 KVA solar power system courtesy of the federal government.
He however named Insecurity, delay or non approval from various agencies, lack of credit facilities among others as some of the challenges facing MSME growth in the state.
