President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of an additional Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub for Ekiti State, as part of efforts to boost activities of micro, small and medium enterprises(MSMEs).
The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, announced this on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, during a one-day working visit.
Shettima, who said Governor Biodun Oyebanji demanded the establishment of another modern ICT facility in Ado Ekiti during his visit to Abuja on MSME clinics, said, “I had conveyed his request to President Tinubu.
“The President has approved the creation of an additional ICT Hub in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. This project will be completed within 90 days”.
He said, “Mr President has also directed that all at the MSME Clinic today receive a N150,000 grant each. This is an outright grant and the beneficiaries will not need to repay it. We thank our partners for this”.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to the provision of the necessary atmosphere for businesses to thrive and the necessary services for smooth operations.
Shettima, during the visit, also inaugurated the 9.2km Omisanjana–Deeper Life–Ajebandele Road constructed by the Oyebanji administration; inaugurated Ekiti Adire Hub on Iworoko Road; and performed the official opening of Ekiti Fashion and Garment Hub within the MSME Clinic in the state capital.
The Vice President, accompanied by Governor Oyebanji; Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, also inspected the Third Expanded National MSME Clinics (Ekiti 2024) Exhibition.
He told MSME operators, “This expanded clinic has brought together the regulators in the sector alongside business owners and investors from various business classes across the length and breadth of this nation.
“We are honoured to be joined by government partners and agencies such as SMEDAN, NEXIM, ITF, NAFDAC and others. They are here to offer guidance and provide the necessary services for the smooth operation of the businesses.
“Our private sector partners, including MAN, NACCIMA and many others are equally mobilised to collaborate with you in transforming your entrepreneur dream into reality. Our other MSME clinic is a fully equipped ICT hub in Eriinmope Ekiti”.
He praised Oyebanji, saying, “For you in Ekiti, you have never had it so good. I am quite delighted the creme de la creme of Ekiti aligned themselves for the governor for the greater good of Ekiti State. I want to thank the Senate Majority Leader, the honourable minister and others”.
Oyebanji lauded President Tinubu for support to Ekiti State and called on MSME operators and business-minded individuals to take advantage of the clinic to transform their dreams, grow their businesses, better their lives and contribute to the development of the state.
The governor also appealed to the political class in the state to unite for the development, stating that politics was over.
He also asked the people not to read the meanings to the appointments made by his administration, saying, “These appointees are Ekiti citizens working for the development of the state”.
Bamidele described Oyebanji as a bridge builder and pledged support to the project from his constituency allocation.
Also, Alake lauded the governor for having his eyes on the development of the state, saying, “We have a level-headed, cool-headed governor. Today, we are lucky BAO (Oyebanji) has forged a convergence of interest that propels development”.
