February 07, (THEWILL) – Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his commitment to support entrepreneurship development to aid entrepreneurial renaissance in the state.
Pastor Eno made the reiteration when he commissioned an office of the Bank of Industry in Uyo, the State capital, on Tuesday.
The new business office is on the third floor of the 21-storey Dakkada Towers, located at Banking Layout, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Governor described the event as one of the most business-like events since the inception of his administration, and an affirmation of his resolve to fulfil his campaign promise to support Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) as the engine of growth and development.
Further expressing delight over the coming of the BOI in the State, Governor Eno said it was a bold move towards realising the lofty goals of the second and fourth aspirations of the ARISE Agenda, which include job creation, economic prosperity and the promotion of the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom people as well as sustainable economic growth.
He said welcoming the BOI team at the State Executive Council Chamber and accommodating them at the sparkling “Dakkada Towers” in the heart of the state capital were indications of the premium his administration places on entrepreneurship development, thanking the Management of the BOI for partnering with the State Government to achieve its set objectives.
He lauded the BOI’s role as a premium bank that is dedicated to the task of transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector, supporting SMEs and large enterprises with low-interest and long-term loans.
Governor Eno, who is a seasoned entrepreneur, affirmed the imperative of SMEs as the engines of economic and sustainable growth, adding that the availability of single-digit interest loans, which the Bank of Industry provides, will be a catalyst for growth and development in the State.
“As a businessman, one of the greatest challenges we had on our balance sheet was interest on loans, which sometimes overrides everything you’re doing. So, having gone through that path, I know that one of the best things we could do to encourage enterprise in our state and support our young people would be to partner with institutions like the BOI and ensure they have sources of good funding,” the Governor said.
He reassured that the State Government, under his watch, will continue to support entrepreneurship for the general good of the State.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, lauded Governor Eno’s genuine commitment to promoting entrepreneurship in the state, which he said was obviously expressed in their discussion at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) at the United Arab Emirate held in December 2023, which made the bank decided it would be a great idea to bring its operations closer to Akwa Ibom people by establishing its 32nd Nigerian branch in the state.
Dr. Olusi said the Bank of Industry was delighted to partner with the Akwa Ibom State Government and assured everyone that the bank would support small, medium and large-scale enterprises with facilities that would help grow their businesses.
He expressed appreciation for the enabling environment provided by the Government thus far, especially the provision of a befitting office location that is safe and secure for business.
At the event were the Deputy Governor, H.E, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Service, Elder Effiong Essien, members of the State Executive Council, top executives of the BOI and other corporate organisations.
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