Senator Kashim Shettima has praised Governor Peter Mbah for his significant development initiatives in Enugu State, highlighting the governor’s commitment to revitalizing the region through various projects across multiple sectors.
During his visit to Enugu on Tuesday, Shettima commissioned the Enugu State Garment and Fashion Hub and launched the 5th Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) Clinics. These initiatives are collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and the Enugu State government aimed at enhancing the MSME sector.
Shettima took the opportunity to tour several infrastructure projects undertaken by the Mbah administration, including the Command and Control security system and the International Conference Centre.
He emphasized the need to move beyond political rivalries, expressing the Federal Government’s willingness to collaborate with visionary leaders across party lines to advance national development. “It’s time to set politics aside. We are now in a development phase. Politics is behind us. We must unite as a single force to tackle the challenges of underdevelopment in our nation. Governor Peter Mbah genuinely cares for the people of Enugu State and demonstrates humility in his leadership,” he remarked.
Shettima expressed particular admiration for Mbah’s security initiatives and his commitment to providing water to the community. He noted the transformative power of education, stating, “In a generation, the child of a peasant can rise to become a celebrated figure. Governor Mbah’s investments in Smart Schools will yield fruitful results in the years to come.”
Describing his impressions of Enugu as “understated,” Shettima was impressed by the significant progress made by Governor Mbah and his team. He highlighted the adoption of modern technology and state-of-the-art security measures, as well as the development of an excellent road network, calling Mbah’s efforts exemplary and worthy of emulation by other governors nationwide.
He acknowledged Mbah as one of the few leaders who understands the potential of the Information Technology sector, urging collaboration to ensure Enugu occupies its rightful place in the country. “Before Governor Mbah’s emergence, Enugu was stagnant and lacked essential services like water supply, but now it is on the rise,” he added.
The Vice President highlighted the crucial role of MSMEs in driving economic growth, stating that the garment and fashion hub would act as “a gateway to economic opportunities, enhancing manufacturing in Enugu and increasing production capacity.” He noted that the hub could create approximately 48,000 jobs and announced a grant of N150,000 for outstanding MSMEs participating in the clinics.
Governor Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to supporting MSMEs, labeling them as the backbone of economic development, and expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its ongoing assistance to Enugu. He pointed out that nearly 90 percent of businesses in Nigeria fall under the small-scale category, emphasizing that their success relies on well-crafted policies that promote a conducive business environment through infrastructure, security, and effective regulatory frameworks.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, commended the collaboration between the Federal Government and Enugu State to foster MSMEs, noting that the activities at the Garment and Fashion Hub demonstrate the potential of Nigerian youth when given the right opportunities and support.
