Government to Establish World Class fashion hub in Benue State

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled plans to establish a world-class fashion hub in Makurdi, the Capital of Benue State in North Central Nigeria, for use by small businesses in the tailoring cluster in the state.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced this while declaring open the first ever Expanded National Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Clinics in Makurdi.

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The Vice President explained that, the fashion hub will be ready in 90 days.
“We are glad that 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 through 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.Thank you, and God bless us all”.

He said the reason and choice of holding the expanded National MSME Clinics which is the first of its kind by the administration was 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”.
He said the Federal Government has engaged the full support of the private sector, including MAN, NASME, NACCIMA, Access Bank, and numerous other entities in such endeavours
and commended President Tinubu for providing a conducive environment for the informal enterprises to seamlessly transit to formal status under the guidance of the CAC during the clinics.
Shettima described the flag off as the clinics turning points in the quest to guarantee the ease of doing business as they offer a methodical opportunity for MSME exhibitors to access immediate working capital through esteemed partners.
Vice President Shettima maintained that the latest interventions were aimed at complementing existing measures to safeguard investments and projections with the sum of N75 billion set aside at 9 percent single-digit loan obtained from Bank of Industry, BOI.
According to him, the Access Bank has also made available the sum of N50 billion of their funds to MSMEs at a discounted rate of 15%, which could significantly increase based on loan performance.
He restarted President Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to resolving the bottlenecks affecting the MSME space in Nigeria, a development he assured would persist until the issues are resolved.
The Vice President described the Benue soil as the best in the country with balanced texture.
“We are in a land known for its commitment to hard work, excellence in art, pursuit of creativity, elevation of agriculture, and promotion of commerce.
“These stand as a testament to the remarkable productivity ingrained within the core of Benue State. The reputation earned by the diligent efforts of every person in this food basket of the nation is a beacon of inspiration for us all, and I am honored to join you today”.
He said the MSME Clinics stand as symbols of empowerment and a nexus “where dreams meet opportunity, where innovation thrives, and where the spirit of entrepreneurship is nurtured by strategic governance”.

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