Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has expressed the determination of the federal government to give necessary support to entrepreneurs in the country.
He also announced the approval of an additional Information and Communication Technology Hub to Ekiti state by the federal government.
Shettima spoke yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state inspecting the 3rd Expanded National MSME Clinics Exhibition, tagged Ekiti 2024.
The former Borno State governor also commissioned the 9.2 kilometre Omisanjana – Deeper Life – Ajebamidele Road, an MSME clinic housing the Ekiti Fashion Garment Hub and Ekiti Adire Hub, all located in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
He was accompanied to the state by Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and the Permanent Secretary State House, Engr. Olufunso Adeniyi.
Speaking further about the MSMEs, he said, “This expanded clinic has brought together the regulators in the sector alongside business owners and investors from various business classes across the length and breadth of this nation. And
“We are honoured to be joined by government partners and agencies such as SMEDAN, NEXIM,ITF, NAFDAC and others .
They are here to offer guidance and provide the necessary services for the smooth operation of their businesses. Our private sector partners including MAN, NACCIMA and many others are equally mobilised to collaborate with you in transforming your entrepreneur dream to reality. Our other MSME clinic is a fully equipped ICT hub in Eriinmope. Ekiti .
On the new ICT hub, he said, “Governor had during his visit to presidential villa in Abuja on the MSME clinics, demanded for the establishment of another modern ICT facility in the state capital Ado Ekiti , I had conveyed his request to president Tinubu , who has approved the creation of an additional ICT Hub in Ado Ekiti . This project will be completed within 90 days .
“Mr president has also directed that all at the MSMEs clinic today receive a 150,000 naira grant each .
This is an outright grant and the beneficiaries will not need to repay it “.
Commending the governor, he said “For you in Ekiti, you have never had it so good. I am quite delighted , the creme de la creme of Ekiti are aligned themselves for the governor for the greater good of Ekiti State. I want to thank the Senate Majority Leader, the minister and others
Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in his speech appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for the support and assistance the state is receiving from the federal government.
The governor noted that the increase in revenue allocation has helped his government to do a lot of things in the state. urged Ekiti people to put politics aside.
“Election is over, it is time for Governance for the betterment of Ekiti State. Development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace”
In his remarks, minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Alake said he was elated because the vice president was visiting his state.
“I was also elated because the trip is an eloquent testimony to the fact that the federal government under the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has Ekiti right inside his heart. The VP in his capacity as the number two man commissioned a lot of projects and the presence of this distinguished Nigerian in the state, signed post the emergence of Ekiti into the front burner of national political calculation”.
The Senate Leader, Bamidele promised to donate one billion naira from his constituency allocation to support the MSMES scheme in the state .
He described Oyebanji as a bridge builder who has provided a home for everyone adding that to the governor who has his backing was a partnership with him.
