Hon Uchenna Joseph Okolo, Chairman of Awgu Local Government, joined Governor Peter Mbah and other stakeholders yesterday to welcome Vice President Kashim Shettima to the 5th National MSME Clinic in Enugu.
During the event, Vice President Shettima launched the Fashion and Garment Hub, expected to create 48,000 jobs, and commissioned the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic, garment hubs, Enugu International Conference Centre, a digital museum, and the command and control centre at the Government House Enugu.
The Vice President praised Governor Mbah’s developmental strides, describing them as “unprecedented in Nigeria”. He assured that the Federal government would partner with Enugu State on the smart school initiative and attributed the problems of the South East to infrastructural deficit.
In a show of support for small businesses, President Bola Tinubu awarded a grant of N150,000 each to outstanding MSMEs in the state. Governor Mbah emphasized the importance of MSMEs, noting that almost 90% of businesses in the country are small-scale.
The Expanded National MSME Clinic hub provides a dynamic platform for MSMEs to access essential supports from government agencies and private sector stakeholders. The event brought together top dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, Chairman House Committee on Lake Chad Basin Commission, Hon Engr Anayo Onwuegbu FNSE.
Other notable attendees included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Uche Ugwu, PDP Chairman in Enugu State, Dr Martins Chinweike, and HOR members from Enugu State, Rt Hon Nnoli Nnaji, Rt Hon Simon Atigwe, Hon Martins Oke, and Hon Chima Atu.
Reiterating President Tinubu’s commitment to Enugu State, VP Shettima pledged support for the people through robust policies and programmes aimed at improving living standards.