Spread the love
By Stephen Adeleye
.
The Federal Government on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to give adequate support to micro and small business owners in the country.
The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, gave the assurance at the launching of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Clinics, at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
Osinbajo said that the Federal Government believed that the micro and small businesses were the way to make Nigeria grow, saying: “we will support you all the way to achieve this goal.
“The reason we set up MSME Clinic and the Social Investment Programme (SIP) is because we care about women, young people, traders, market women, physically challenged; every one of our program is aimed at giving you a better life.
“I want to say that this is why you do not need to know anybody to benefit from any of the programmes that have been established by President Buhari-led government.
“You do not need to know a senator, governor, VP or President; the SIP programme is completely fair to everyone. Once you are eligible and you apply, we will give you.
“That is the kind of country we want to establish where there is no corruption, where there is no need for man knows man, or woman knows woman
.
“A country where you are a Nigeria and you are entitled to all the government programmes; that is the kind of a country that this government is determined to establish; free from corruption.
“I am extremely happy to be here today; I bring you greetings from President Muhammadu Buhari,” Osinbajo said.
The vice president congratulated Gov. Yahaya Bello, for the outstanding work that he had been doing in Kogi and in particular the various outstanding programmes for widows, market women and the vulnerables.
“I have been told that there are over 800 exhibitors and over 20, 000 participants including market women, youth corp members, widows, manufacturers, artisans, among others.
“When I go back to Abuja, I will be able to tell the president what I saw in Kogi; you are hard working, diligent and not beggars. We will support and provide for you, we will do all we can to ensure that you are successful.
“I have come here with BOI, CAC, NAFGDAC, SON, BOA, SMEDAN, and so many other of our organisations who are ready to work with you and help to grow your small businesses.
“We will make sure that everybody who is eligible and registered get their loans. I am here personally on behalf of the President to make sure all things are going well,” Osinbajo said.
The State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello expressed gladness that the vice president himself had seen the locally produced commodities by Kogi people, saying he was sure that the federal government would give them full support.
“We will ensure that all our people are assisted, so that every business we are doing can progress steadily.
“When we give you this money; you will use it to do business and pay back, so that other people can benefit from it. We are teaching you how to fish by growing your business,” Bello said.
Earlier, Mr Adoga Ibrahim, SA to Governor on Multilateral Donor Agencies and Special Projects/Focal Person on SIP, said MSME Clinic was designed to give hope to the hopeless people of Kogi and in Nigeria.
Ibrahim added that the MSME would bring about significant and sustainable GDP growth, employment generation and increase local productivity, thereby reducing import bills on food and essential products that could be produced locally.
(NAN)
Spread the love
