From Umar Kaltungo
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, of Gombe State, has received an award of the ‘Best Performing State’ and Number one in ‘Ease of Doing Business among the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The award was presented to him by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN) during the 4th MSME Awards and Dinner, which held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.
The awards ceremony was the climax of a week-long celebration of excellence, hard work and innovation in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in Nigeria.
Recall that Gombe State had emerged as the best among States that have provided attractive environments that promote business growth in Nigeria, as contained in a result of the ‘State Ease of Doing Business Survey’, undertaken by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), as a status report on the current attractiveness of States’ business climates for SMEs.
Speaking at the occasion, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo congratulated Gombe State for emerging top on the Ease of Doing Business log. He also commended Governor Yahaya for his support to the small and medium-sized enterprises in his state.
On the MSME awards, Osinbajo said the Federal Government is encouraged by the resilience and innovation of young Nigerians across different sectors and is committed to doing more to support their growth and prosperity.
“Let me leave you with President Muhammadu Buhari’s words of commitment to MSMEs in Nigeria: He said, “we will continue to stand by you, to support you and create opportunities for you to grow and prosper”, the VP stated.
The Vice-Presideny also commended the creativity of the 2021 winners of the awards, noting that “the awards have inspired many young entrepreneurs to greatness and some of the stories are simply incredible”.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the event, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said, “I feel really satisfied and delighted that the reforms we are undertaking and the efforts we are making in general have been recognised, to the extent that we have been adjudged to be the number one State that provided the enabling environment for businesses to thrive”.
He said the recognition will spur him to do more for the people to feel the impact of what both the federal and the State governments are doing in terms of providing support to the small and medium enterprises and businesses at large.
He added: ” With an enterprising workforce, vibrant market, robust infrastructure, peaceful atmosphere and favorable regulatory environment, Gombe State has all that is needed for MSMEs to thrive and succeed”.
Twelve (12) MSMEs across the country won awards in different categories, including: ZIA SPICES, representing Gombe State which emerged as ‘Best MSME Clinic participant – Female’. category.
