By Francesca Hangeior.

Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani has assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to eradicating poverty across the country.

He disclosed this at a town hall meeting on the Presidential Grants and Loans Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises held in Kaduna, on Tuesday said that the administration is focused on empowering small businesses to drive economic growth.

The event, organised in partnership with the Bank of Industry, sought to engage and prepare potential beneficiaries of the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund aimed at supporting SMEs and manufacturers nationwide.

Governor Sani, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Ibrahim Mohammed, highlighted that Tinubu’s administration is prioritising poverty alleviation through sustainable support for MSMEs, which he described as the “backbone of our economy” and vital contributors to job creation and innovation.

“This intervention fund couldn’t have come at a better time. It aligns with Kaduna State’s ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and foster an ecosystem where visions and innovative ideas can flourish,” he stated.

The governor further explained that the state has taken significant steps to bolster MSMEs through initiatives led by the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency, offering grants, subsidies, and business development services to local entrepreneurs.

“We are committed to building Skills Cities to develop 21st-century skills, constructing roads to ease trade, and partnering with Afrexim Bank to improve product quality and export readiness through the African Quality Assurance Centre,” he noted, adding that these efforts will strengthen Kaduna’s economy and empower local businesses.

Sani urged entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities provided by the N200 billion Presidential Intervention Fund to expand their businesses and create employment.

He called for stakeholder collaboration, emphasising that government alone cannot accomplish the project’s objectives.

“We must reach out across every sector and community to promote these efforts. I encourage stakeholders to spread the word so more entrepreneurs can benefit,” he added.

According to him, Tinubu’s administration is resolute in tackling poverty and supporting MSMEs as a pathway to economic transformation.

“This initiative demonstrates that President Bola Tinubu is a listening leader, responsive to the challenges faced by small businesses and manufacturers,” he remarked.

In her address, Mrs Joy Oghiadomhe, representing the Bank of Industry, detailed the eligibility criteria for the grant and loan schemes, noting that MSMEs are central to the administration’s plan to address economic challenges.

She disclosed that over 100 Kaduna-based entrepreneurs had already benefited from grants under the initiative.