President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, declaring that the nation has no excuse for widespread poverty.
He said this while speaking at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic held in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday.
Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressed that Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources capable of transforming the country into a hub of prosperity.
Tinubu underscored Cross River’s exceptional agricultural potential, noting that its fertile soil can support the cultivation of almost any crop.
He urged the state to fully harness this advantage to stimulate economic development, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.
“The Federal Government intends to plant 100 million oil palm trees, more than any other state. Cross River has an advantage,” he said.
Tinubu further said that upon assumption of office, his government guaranteed access to capital and pledged to support ventures that would redefine the future of work, skills, and industry.
He commended the Cross River Government for establishing a state-of-the-art communication and technology hub for MSMEs, saying, “This aligns the state with trends in digital technology.”
“The hub will give MSMEs affordable access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and a collaborative space to learn and innovate, remembering that the digital world is a window to diverse markets.
“The digital world has space for the market woman in Ikom, the furniture maker in Calabar, and the fashion designer in Ogoja, Ugep, or Odukpani.
“This is why my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a commitment to creating an environment where MSMEs not only survive but thrive.
“Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants, but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Gov. Bassey Otu described the 8th MSME Clinic as a special-purpose initiative between Cross River and the Federal Government.
Otu said the essence was to enhance the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens and grow the economy of the state.
He said that through the Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, the state government had trained no fewer than 3,500 entrepreneurs in different facets of entrepreneurship.
The governor stated that the gains of MSMEs were boundless, noting that with collective exploration, they have the capacity to raise the people’s standard of living.
Otu commended the president for his foresight and expressed the commitment of the state government to support the realisation of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr. Pius Neji, the Head, Bank of Industry (BOI), Cross River office, said the bank was a fundamental friend and partner in progress to entrepreneurs.
Neji said the BOI had been giving out funds to assist businesses in rural areas, and that it had already disbursed about N260 million to MSMEs in the state.
“Cross River is a good place for our entrepreneurs, and the state has what it takes to make Nigeria greater. The industrialisation of Cross River can take Nigeria to the next level,” he said.