President Bola Tinubu has stated that Nigerians have no reason to be poor, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to advancing the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
Tinubu made the remarks at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic held in Calabar on Wednesday.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president said Nigeria possesses vast human and natural resources. He noted that Cross River State has the capacity to cultivate almost every crop due to its fertile land.
“The Federal Government intends to plant 100 million oil palm trees, more than any other state. Cross River has an advantage,” he said.
Tinubu explained that since assuming office, his administration had ensured access to capital and pledged to support ventures that would redefine the future of work, skills, and industry.
He commended the Cross River State Government for establishing a state-of-the-art communication and technology hub for MSMEs, describing it as an initiative that “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.
In his remarks, Governor Bassey Otu described the 8th MSME Clinic as a special-purpose collaboration between Cross River State and the Federal Government aimed at boosting entrepreneurial capacity and economic growth.
Otu noted that through the Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency, the state had trained no fewer than 3,500 entrepreneurs across various sectors. He emphasised that MSMEs have the potential to improve living standards when fully harnessed.
The governor praised the president for his foresight and pledged the state’s support for the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Mr. Pius Neji, Head of the Bank of Industry (BOI) Cross River office, described the bank as a committed partner to entrepreneurs. He disclosed that the BOI had disbursed about N260 million to MSMEs in the state, particularly in rural areas.
“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.
