Shettima tasks citizens on insecurity
Vice President Kashima Shettima, yesterday, said more than 39,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have received about N2.5 billion in Federal Government interventions under the current administration.
The Vice President, who disclosed this in Katsina, also said 23 rural enterprises accessed over N112 million under the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development in the state.
Shettima, who is in the state for a two-day official visit, further announced President Tinubu’s approval of an unconditional grant of N250,000 for each outstanding MSME exhibiting at the ninth Expanded National MSME in Katsina, yesterday.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never backed down from creating a conducive environment for Nigerian MSMEs. This N250,000 grant is non-repayable and demonstrates our commitment to removing barriers that have historically held back our enterprises,” Shettima stated.
He revealed that the Federal Government had launched a N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund through the Bank of Industry, providing up to N5 million in loans to 75,000 MSMEs nationwide at nine per cent yearly interest, alongside a N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, supporting one million nano businesses with N50,000 each across the 774 local councils.
The VP said Katsina is home to over 1.7 million MSMEs operating in clusters, covering agriculture, trade, crafts, services, and digital industries, with strong participation by women and youth demonstrating inclusive prosperity.
Equally, the Vice President charged the people to put their political and related differences aside, and work to confront the insecurity bedevilling parts of the state.
He appealed on late Monday night at the graduation of the Dikko Social Innovation Academy (DSIA) and maiden edition of the Katsina’s MSME Awards and Dinner, which was held at the Government House.
He said: “We have no business fighting each other — we must unite to confront insecurity and poverty.”
The Number Two citizen, who is in the state for a two-day working visit, had arrived through the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport at about 5 pm on Monday.
