From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
Abia State Government has restated its resolve to continue empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and remain the MSMEs capital of Nigeria.
Describing MSMEs as a strong pillar in the fight against poverty and unemployment, the Governor Alex Otti-led administration vowed to continue protecting the environment and upholding security, as foundations for lasting development in the state and country at large.
The governor made this known at the recently held 2025 World MSME Day celebrations, organised by the African Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AASME), at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, in the commercial city of Aba.
Celebrated globally on June 27 every year, the event was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on the huge contributions of enterprises to the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Okey Ihemanma, Otti reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fostering a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy, where MSMEs play critical roles in driving innovation, creating jobs and strengthening national prosperity: “Government recognizes that true development cannot be achieved without economic security and environmental responsibility.
“The Ministry of Industry and SME is working with entrepreneurs, communities and other partners to build a future, where growth is meaningfully anchored in sustainability, supported by peace and inclusive of all.”
Also, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme-Uche, commended AASME for establishing World-African MSME Centre for Entrepreneurship, Business and Cultural Development (World MSME Knowledge Hub) at the polytechnic.
She said that the theme of the event; “Building a sustainable economy together with security development,” was apt and topical, judging by the prevailing economic and security situation in Nigeria.
The commissioner, who called Abia State the capital of SMEs in Nigeria, noted that the governor was sustaining this by providing access roads to and inside major markets and factories in and around Aba and other parts of the state: “He is also rebuilding the major markets of Ariaria and Ekeoha shopping complex to international standards. Similarly, the governor has spared nothing in the provision of security for residents of Abia State and Aba in particular.
“Within the first few months of his administration, he launched a security outfit code-named Operation Crush, which has done a good job keeping Abia largely safe and conducive for business.”
President/chief executive officer, AASME, Darlington Kalu, lauded Otti for investing in infrastructure, especially in Aba, to boost commerce. He also extolled him for remodelling the markets in Aba while appealing that shop owners at the remodelled markets be allowed to get their shops back.
The post Why Abia isn’t toying with MSMEs –Otti appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
