President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that Nigerians have “no reason to be poor,” citing the country’s vast human and natural resources as a foundation for prosperity.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 8th Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic in Calabar, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to driving MSME growth as a pathway to economic empowerment.
“Cross River State can grow almost every crop because of its fertile land,” Tinubu said, announcing plans to plant 100 million oil palm trees nationwide. “This state has a unique advantage.”
The president said his government, since taking office, has prioritised access to capital and support for ventures that “redefine the future of work, skills, and industry.” He commended the Cross River Government for establishing a state-of-the-art communication and technology hub for MSMEs, describing it as a move in line with global digital trends.
“The hub will give entrepreneurs access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and collaborative spaces,” he said. “The digital world has space for the market woman in Ikom, the furniture maker in Calabar, and the fashion designer in Ogoja, Ugep, or Odukpani.”
Governor Bassey Otu described the clinic as a strategic partnership with the Federal Government to boost entrepreneurship and economic growth in the state. He said the state had trained over 3,500 entrepreneurs through its Micro Finance and Enterprise Development Agency.
Bank of Industry (BOI) Cross River head, Pius Neji, revealed that the bank had disbursed about ₦260 million to support MSMEs in rural communities, stressing that “the industrialisation of Cross River can take Nigeria to the next level.”
