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FG doles out N150,000 grant to outstanding MSMEs in Jigawa

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The Federal Government on Tuesday, offered N150,000 grant to each of the outstanding Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jigawa.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the offer while launching the 4th edition of the Expanded National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic, in Dutse, Jigawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the expanded National MSME Clinics is one of the federal government’s strategies for ease of doing business in Nigeria.

This will be achieved through a series of business forums organised across the country to provide on-the-spot solutions to challenges confronting MSMEs.

The first, second, and third editions were launched in Benue, Ogun, and Ekiti States respectively earlier this year.

Shettima, who reiterated the federal government’s support to MSMEs, noted that the N150,000 grant “is an outright grant that does not require beneficiaries to repay.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has mandated that a grant of N150,000 each be awarded to outstanding exhibiting MSMEs at today’s event.

“Rest assured that this is an outright grant, and the beneficiaries will not need to repay it.”

Shettima said that as the very foundation of the nation’s economy, the MSMEs sub-sector had remained a top priority of the Tinubu administration.

He noted that the MSMEs did not only represent 96 per cent of all businesses in Nigeria but contributed more than 45 per cent to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Shettima added that MSMEs provided a crucial lifeline to 80 per cent of the nation’s workforce.

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“We recognise your essence, and that’s why we are establishing MSME clinics across the nation.

“These clinics will act as incubators for small businesses and offer alternative financing. They will also ensure that you have the support and resources you need to compete and thrive,” he noted.

He observed that the prosperity of small businesses was the prosperity of Nigeria and their downturn was the downturn of Nigeria.

Shettima urged the business owners not to harbor any fear, assuring that the Tinubu administration would not rest until each of them “is in a vantage position to access the support and capital made available for them.”

Earlier, Gov. Umar Namadi, thanked the federal government for providing dividends of democracy to the people of the state through the MSME Clinics and related projects scattered across the area.

Namadi urged the existing and aspiring small business owners in the state to take advantage of services provided through the clinics.

He described the initiative as a rare opportunity for operators in the sector in Jigawa.

He said the state government was aligning with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the ‘Greater Jigawa Initiative’ that provides social protection services and projects for the people.

The high point of the event at the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle was the inspection of exhibition pavilions by MSMEs in the state and the commissioning of the Jigawa Retail Empowerment Shops.

Earlier on arrival in Dutse, Shettima commissioned the 10-Hectare, Solar-powered irrigation farm at the Sumore Farm in Madobi.

He also commissioned 1,435 J-AGRO Agricultural Extension Agents and the distribution of agricultural inputs under the NG-CARES Fadama Programme.

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NAN reports that the inputs will benefit more than 26,000 individuals, out of which 30 per cent were women.

Similarly, Shettima inaugurated the Palliative Shop initiative at Yalwawa before proceeding to the Dutse Ultra Modern market where he commissioned a 120KVA Solar Plant.

Shettima said the solar unit would ensure that the entire market receives a minimum of eight hours of electricity per day during market hours. (NAN)

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Gen. Katunku Simon Gora, A Leader With Humility, Purpose, Positive Heart For Service

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By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

I’AM ROOTED IN HUMANITY AND DRIVEN BY IMPACTIVE SERVICE:

With nearly 30 years of exemplary military service behind me, my approach to leadership has always been anchored in humility and a profound respect for every individual. These principles are not mere concepts; they are deeply embedded values that influence every decision and action I take.

I firmly believe that true love and genuine selfless service can only originate from God. It is His presence within our hearts, minds, and strength that empowers us to extend sincere care and support to one another. My faith has been the guiding force, shaping my view that life’s true rewards come not from accolades, but from lifting others in their time of need.

Witnessing suffering – whether through poverty, disease, or adversity – stirs a deep compassion within me. I remain steadfast in my hope that one day, the essential needs of every community will be fully met. This vision continues to inspire my goals and fuels my enduring commitment to service.

MY LIFE BUILT ON PURPOSE AND INTERGRITY:

Integrity stands at the core of everything I do. I believe in living authentically, staying true to the person I am, while always striving to evolve into the person I am destined to become. God has blessed each of us with the gift of free will, and with it, the profound responsibility to use that freedom wisely.

Every goal I set is purposeful, pursued with enthusiasm, and carried out with unwavering dedication. Regardless of the final result, I find contentment in knowing that I have given my best, embracing each outcome with gratitude and humility.

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Purpose, for me, is not a mere ambition; it is the reason for living. It is about making a tangible impact, however big or small, and knowing that one’s life has contributed meaningfully to the world.

FULFILLING MY CALLING OF SERVICE:

The most profound mission in life, I believe, is to answer the call for which we were created. Whether on the battlefield, within the community, or through personal growth, I have always sought to serve a purpose greater than myself.

Every act of service, no matter how modest, contributes to a larger tapestry of positive change. I am committed to ensuring that my time, my talents, and my energy are dedicated to making a difference leaving behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and hope.

To me, success is not measured by personal achievements alone but by the lives we touch and the hope we inspire. If through my service I can make even the smallest difference, then I believe I have truly fulfilled my purpose.

WE MUST UNITE IN PROGRESS AND HOPE:

I firmly hold to the belief that unity is our greatest strength. “United we stand, divided we fall” is more than just a phrase; it is a timeless truth that reminds us of the power of collective effort. By standing together, supporting one another, and striving for common goals, we create a future rich with promise and opportunity.

Growth and progress are not achieved in isolation. They flourish when communities come together, bound by mutual respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to a better tomorrow. It is through unity that we overcome adversity, and through cooperation that we achieve lasting success.

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The journey ahead may be filled with challenges, but with a spirit of togetherness and an unwavering focus on service and integrity, I am confident that we can continue to grow, prosper, and uplift one another.

I STAND ON LEGACY OF SERVICE AND FAITH:

As I reflect on my life’s journey, I remain deeply grateful for the experiences that have shaped me. Every moment of service, every challenge faced, and every act of compassion has reinforced my belief that a life of humility, purpose, and unwavering faith is a life well lived.

May we all strive to serve with heart, live with purpose, and unite in a spirit of hope and progress. Together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

United We Stand – Divided We Fall. Together, We Grow and Progress!

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Kaduna State to hold education summit – Commissioner

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Kaduna State Government will convene an Education Summit as part of its strategy to bring about transformative change in the education sector, which will be anchored on four strategic pillars.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani Bello, who disclosed this while inaugurating the steering committee, further said that the event will be titled KADA EDUPACT International Summit 2025″.

According to him, one of the pillars is the Policy/Governance/Innovative Education Financing Pillar.

The Commissioner also listed the Access and Retention, Credible Learning Outcomes From Quality Inputs Pillars, as well as the Technology and Innovation pillars.

Prof Bello argued that the main objective of the summit is “to forge an Educational Pact between the government and the people, establishing commitment to shared model for education delivery, measurable outcomes and clearly defined negotiables.”

He further said that experts will make motivating presentations, adding that the Summit will provide opportunity for robust discussions on local and international investments in education, policy-making as well as technological innovations for improved teaching and learning.

The Commissioner also assured that a comprehensive education development roadmap for Kaduna State would fashioned out during the summit.

He said that the Director General of Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, will coordinate the activities of the steering committee, whose membership cuts across relevant Ministries Department and Agencies.

Sub-committees to handle various aspects of the summit were announced immediately after the steering committee was inaugurated.

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Police Bust Human Trafficking Ring In Oyo, Rescue 84 Victims

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The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered a human trafficking ring in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In a major operation, the police rescued 83 individuals and a child from a house in the Orogun area of the city, where they had allegedly been held for an undisclosed period.

Preliminary reports suggest that the victims, believed to be nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo, were lured to Nigeria under the pretence of being offered employment opportunities.

There are also claims that the perpetrators extorted significant sums of money, reportedly in dollars, from the victims’ parents and relatives as part of the elaborate scheme.

The rescued individuals are currently at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where authorities are conducting further investigations to ascertain the full details of the case.

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