Shettima inaugurates ultra-modern MSME Fashion, ICT hubs in Makurdi

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated state-of-the-art MSME Clinics Fashion and ICT Hubs in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, marking a significant milestone in what he described as the beginning of greater developments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

During the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, the Vice President expressed confidence that the new hub, built to global standards, has the potential to create approximately 48,000 jobs annually in Benue State.

Represented by Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Shettima highlighted the rapid construction of the hub following the launch of the MSME Clinic in the state earlier this year. He emphasized that the swift progress reflects the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to entrepreneurs.

He stated, “Today, as we commission this dual-purpose MSME Clinic, we bear witness to two critical truths. First, it proves that our promises to entrepreneurs are not mere rhetoric. Secondly, it affirms that the most durable interventions we can achieve as a government are born from strong intergovernmental partnerships. We are delighted to witness the fruition of these projects, and I am honoured to be part of this milestone.”

Shettima explained that the Benue Fashion & ICT Hub, along with other hubs and shared facilities established across Nigeria, are federal government interventions aimed at fostering a conducive business and regulatory environment for MSMEs to thrive. According to him, the Benue MSME Hub is one of the largest ever commissioned by the federal government.

“With over 200 pieces of cutting-edge equipment to support fashion manufacturing and more than 100 ICT devices in the cluster, this hub has the capacity to ramp up production, provide ICT training, and achieve economies of scale,” he said. “It is equipped to produce a wide range of fashion items, including military uniforms, school uniforms, and corporate wear, both for Benue State and beyond. Beyond this, the hub will also house a one-stop shop where MSMEs can engage directly with Federal Government agencies to resolve their regulatory issues.”

The one-stop shop, he further explained, will ensure that businesses requiring support or services from agencies such as NAFDAC, BOA, CAC, ITF, SON, NEPC, SMEDAN, and others can be attended to under one roof.

Vice President Shettima expressed the federal government’s readiness to partner with state governments and its commitment to creating opportunities that meet the country’s demands. He noted that MSMEs are the lifeline of communities across the nation and are the bedrock of stability during critical phases of the nation’s economic transition. “It would be impossible to grow the Nigerian economy if the growth and success of MSMEs do not remain a top priority,” he stated.

Acknowledging the challenges preventing the growth and prosperity of MSMEs in Nigeria, Shettima pointed out that the Tinubu administration is already providing interventions to address them. “With a strong resolve to tackle these challenges, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has provided interventions like the Benue Fashion Hub and other hubs established across the nation. These hubs support MSME clusters across various industries, including fashion and textiles, leather, ICT, agriculture, and cold room facilities. We look forward to establishing additional clusters for mechanic cities, printing, barber shops, shoemaking, and wellness later this year,” he added.

The Vice President commended the visionary leadership of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and his dedicated team, who, along with the team from the Presidency led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, and other partners, have worked tirelessly to ensure the swift delivery of the MSME facility hub in the country for fashion and ICT.

In his remarks, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia thanked the federal government and Vice President Shettima for fulfilling the promise to establish a fashion and MSME hub in the state. He said, “The project represents more than just infrastructure; it is an embodiment of our collective vision for a prosperous, creative, and empowered Benue State.”

Governor Alia expressed gratitude for the Vice President’s second visit to Benue State in less than a year, noting that his commitment to the country’s growth is evident in his support for initiatives that uplift communities and empower citizens. “Your visit to Benue State, for the second time in less than six months, is a testament to the partnership between Benue State and the federal government, and we deeply appreciate it. The Benue State fashion hub, which is your initiative and a gift to the state, is a cornerstone of our administration’s agenda to promote creativity, foster innovation, create employment, and provide opportunities for our people,” he continued.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their commitment to fulfilling their campaign promises and improving the lives of Nigerians. He noted that the Vice President had promised during a visit in November last year to support Benue State with a fashion hub, and today, that promise has been fulfilled.

Earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, thanked the Vice President for his contributions to the development of MSMEs in the country, stating that the event underscores his commitment to the industrialization of communities in Nigeria. “The various initiatives that your office is anchoring have positively contributed to Nigeria’s socio-economic environment and the development of various sectors, as seen in the commissioning of fashion hubs today,” she said.

In addition, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs, Mr. Adekunle-Johnson, mentioned that the idea for a fashion hub was envisioned in January this year when the Vice President launched the MSME Clinic in Benue State. Under the Tinubu administration, five projects have been commissioned so far, with eight more ongoing and set to be completed before the end of 2024. He stressed that the Benue Fashion and ICT Hub is the largest and has the capacity to expand depending on the state’s future needs.