From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said it is impossible to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) without the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME).
He stated this during the commissioning of Benue Fashion Hub and the Printing House in Makurdi that is expected to generate N3 billion revenue yearly.
The vice president emphasised that MSME remains the pillar of any nation accounting for 96 per cent of Nigeria businesses and another 45 per cent to the economy
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Presidency, office of the Vice President, Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima said 80 percent of Nigerians would have been without a job if the MSME did not exist.
He also said the Benue fashion industry would account for over 48,000 jobs per annum, adding that the Federal Government has already opened five MSMEs while 31 more are to be opened in all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
He said: “Commissioning of this facility which is a cutting edge equipment represents the Federal Government’s intervention to foster a conducive environment for MSMEs to thrive.
“It will expand the state’s identity beyond the food basket of the nation and revamp the state to the home of textile and cultural heritage as it is equipped with over 200 pieces of machines and more than 100 ICT devices in its cluster which can manufacture military, school uniforms both for Benue and beyond. In fact, it is the largest ever commission by the Federal Government.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia said the fashion hub is an embodiment of the state’s collective vision for a prosperous, creative and empowered Benue State.
Alia also noted that the Benue State Fashion Hub, which is the initiative of the Presidency and a gift to the state, is a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda to promote creativity, foster innovation, create employment and provide opportunities for the Benue people.
He said: “The project is designed to harness the abundant talents of our youths and transform them into thriving enterprises that will contribute significantly in building our economy.”
Earlier, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Tola Adekunle, said the Federal Government was ready to support all state governments to succeed through MSME.
Adekunle further commended Governor Alia for his achievements so far and urged him to do more for the Benue people.