Nigerians have no reason to be poor – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigerians have no reason to be poor, reiterating his administration’s commitment to promoting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

Tinubu made the statement at the 8th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Calabar on Wednesday.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, he said the country had boundless human and natural resources at its disposal.

The president said Cross River, as a state, had the capacity to grow almost every crop because of its fertile land.

“The Federal Government intends to plant 100 million oil palm trees, more than any other state. Cross River has an advantage,” he said.

Tinubu further said that upon assumption of office, his government guaranteed access to capital and pledged to support ventures that would 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, saying, “This aligns the state with trends in digital technology.”

“The hub will give MSMEs affordable access to high-speed internet, modern equipment, and a collaborative space to learn and innovate, remembering that the digital world is a window to diverse markets.

“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.

This is why my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a commitment to creating an environment where MSMEs not only survive but thrive.

“Our commitment is not just to give loans or grants, but to build an ecosystem that provides infrastructure and enhances the creativity of entrepreneurs,” he said.

In his speech, Gov. Bassey Otu described the 8th MSME Clinic as a special-purpose initiative between Cross River and the Federal Government.