Shettima: Benue Fashion, ICT Hub Represents FG’s Desire for Industrialisation

George Okoh in Makurdi

Vice President Kashim Shetima has said the Benue Fashion and ICT Hub is the  federal government’s desire for industrialisation, describing  it as the biggest in the country.

He therefore called  on the government to ensure the hub becomes a reference point in the country.

The vice president, who was  represented by the Deputy Chief of staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, at  inauguration of the Fashion and ICT Hub as well as the remodeled Benue Printing House  yesterday in Makurdi, commended Governor Hycinth Alia for his commitment towards the success of the SMEs clinic in the state.

While appreciating the Alia-led government for its collaboration to ensure the success of the fashion hub and for his determination to deliver good governance to the people of the state, he promised to deploy monogram machines and other support as requested by the governor.

In his address, Alia  said the  Fashion and ICT Hub will serve as catalyst for growth and development, describing the project as an embodiment of President Bola Tinubu led administration’s collective vision for a prosperous, creative and empowered Benue State.

The governor appreciated the Ahmed Bola Tinubu led federal government for the gift of the fashion hub, saying it will serve as a cornerstone for his administration’s agenda to promote creativity, harness talents, foster innovation, create employment and provide opportunities for the people of 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.

“Today’s world is dynamic and ever-changing and we in Benue cannot be left behind. This is why we are delighted to have you here today to fulfill a promise you made to the people at the first Expanded National MSME Clinics in January this year. You gave us your word and today, Your Excellency, you have honoured us again in fulfillment of that promise.”

The governor further described the inauguration  of the fashion hub as an indication that the government is not only expanding the labour market, but also supporting the skills required, promising that the underutilised resources of the state will be fully diversified in line with the industrialisation agenda of the current administration, leveraging on the abundant talents that are available in the state.

He assured  the people that the hub would serve as a catalyst for growth and development,  not only in Benue State but across the entire middle belt region, reiterating the commitment of his administration to ensure the project fulfills its purpose of empowering the people and contributing to the socio-economic transformation of Benue state.

Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, commended Governor Alia for his commitment towards the wellbeing of the people of the state, adding that his efforts have added to the President’s industrialization agenda aimed at driving job creation.

Also in his address, the Minister for Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utse, appreciated the federal and state governments for the partnership to establish the fashion hub, promising his ministry’s determination to ensure safe water for all the citizens of Nigeria.

On their part, the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Alumo Orpin; Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Job Creation and SMEs , Hon. Tola Adekunle Johnson as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Fidelis Unongo, all appreciated the federal and state government for their collaborative efforts to ensure job creation, saying it is an avenue to keep many youths off the streets, properly engaging them with a means of livelihood.