…. Says Facility To Provide 48,000 Jobs Annually In Benue
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima on Tuesday, commissioned the ultramodern Benue Fashion Hub and ICTs shared facility in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The fashion hub is said to be the largest fashion hub in Nigeria where young entrepreneurs in fashion business would get the desired support and the modern facility to support the local textile industry.
Speaking during the official opening of the fashion hub, Shettima said the Federal Government under President Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to promoting and developing small businesses, especially in the areas of skill acquisition.
He said the facility has capacity to accommodate 200 fashion machine including monogram machine and 100 ICT devices to enhance sills development.
Senator Shettima who was represented by his deputy chief of staff, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hyadejia, stated that he made the promise to build a fashion hub for the State during the last Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Business Clinics that was held in Makurdi , Benue State in January this year.
According to him, the launching of the facility in the State was another way of reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to supporting small businesses, empower the people and to boost local economy.
He reiterated the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of MSMEs in Nigeria, stating that the facility will be providing 48,000 jobs annually in the State.
In her remark, the Minister of Industries, Trade and Investment Dr Doris Uzoka Anitte commended the Vice President for his strong commitment to industrialising the country.
She maintained that MSME remain lifewire of any country’s economy and has contributed significantly to the Nigeria’s socioeconomic development over the years and was the priority of the ministry.
Dr. Anite noted that MSME was the driving force for job creation and rural industrialisation and assured that her ministry would continue to partner with states to drive the nation’s economy.
The minister however commended Governor’ Hyacinth Alia for his visionary leadership and commitment to the betterment of Benue people.
In his speech, Gov Hyacinth Alia said the Fashion Hub was an embodiment of the State collective vision for a prosperous, creative and empowered Benue State.
“The Benue State Fashion Hub, which is the initiative of the Presidency and a gift to the State was a cornerstone of my administration’s agenda to promote creativity, foster innovation, create employment and provide opportunities for our people.
“The Fashion Hub to be commissioned shows that we are not only expanding the labour market but also supporting the skills required.
“Benue is blessed with abundant resources that have remained largely untapped and underutilized over the years.
“I make bold to say that the future of our dear State is not just hinged on agriculture or about producing and processing commodities. It prominently features diversification that can be anchored on industrialization, leveraging on the abundant talents that are available in the state.
‘The project is designed to harness the abundant talents of our youth and transform them into thriving enterprises that will contribute significantly in building our economy”, the Governor said.
On his part, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev commended the President and Gov Alia for ensuring that the project was completed and on time.
Prof Utsev said the facility would enhance employment and boost the economy adding that every State in the Country should emmualte it.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MEMES, Mr Tola Adekunle said the FG was ready to support all State Governments to succeed through MSME.
Mr Adekunle further commeded Gov Alia for his achievements so far and urged him to do more for the Benue people.
The vice President also commissioned the Benue printing house where the managing partner of the coronation, Mr. Isaac Mtsor disclosed that the agency will be providing 100 direct jobs and 200 indirect jobs in Benue State.
According to him, the printing corporation is expected to earned N3bn revenue annually for the State.
He maintained that State government has put an end to printing needs of northern states and therefore called on printers to take advantage of this opportunity to patronise them.
