The Federal Government has handed over 200 refurbished stores to 400 entrepreneurs at the popular Asero Adire market in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the gesture at the second edition of the Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinics in Abeokuta.
Shettima said it was a way of offering a lifeline to traders in Ogun State, as the beneficiaries will use the stores free of charge for a period of one year after which they will be charged discounted rates for the use of the facilities.
According to a statement signed by Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesman to the Nigerian vice president. the gesture is part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to support small businesses by providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.
Shettima said in his address that the Clinics and related activities hold the promise of easing the way for small businesses to transform their empires or unicorns of note.
“The National MSME Clinics serve as a bridge between us between the people and the government,” Shettima said. “They are designed to bring the government in close proximity to the people by convening all regulatory agencies under one roof.
“This journey further reinforces my conviction that our paramount responsibility as a government is to persist in crafting an enabling environment that allows these small businesses not only to thrive but also to expand their horizons.”
Shettima gave an assurance that the Tinubu administration, in collaboration with partners, will not rest on their oars until small businesses reach the heights of their potential.
He also noted that the overall objective is to “foster an ecosystem where innovation flourishes, where the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigeria shines brightly on the global stage, and where our collaborations yield immense dividends.”
The vice president expressed confidence that with little support, MSMEs across Nigeria can deploy their talents, creativity and boundless energy to building more viable enterprises.
Shettima further heaped plaudits on the Ogun State government for their cooperation in the project, describing the state “as a guiding force in the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting enterprises and empowering their owners.”
He also spoke about President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria, which he said “relies on exploring the industrial capabilities developed in this Gateway to the Nation”.
Apart from the Clinics, Shettima also commissioned two projects executed by the Federal Government in collaboration with partners – the ultra-modern fashion hub for MSMEs and the refurbished Asero Adire market, all in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
