Gov. Bagudu urges traders to establish micro businesses to boost national growth
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, on Sunday, pledged to give premium to micro businesses in the state to facilitate national growth and development.
He made the pledge at the formal inauguration of the Market Traders’ Association of Nigeria (MATAN), Kebbi state chapter held in Birnin Kebbi.
Bagudu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Babale Umar-Yauri, observed that micro businesses were critical to the development of the state and the nation in general.
The governor said government would do everything possible to ensure the success of the newly inaugurated MATAN executives in the state.
While charging the new executives to be alive to their responsibilities, Bagudu appealed for support and cooperation from all to enable the present administration deliver the dividends of democracy to all.
In her speech, the wife of the governor, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, said the present administration had attached premium to the entrepreneurial development of its citizens.
She explained that various programmes were introduced by the state government to encourage the people to become self-reliant.
The governor’s wife advised the new leadership of MATAN in the state to remain focused and committed to what would move the association forward.
Earlier, the National President of MATAN, Mr Jamilu Abbas urged the new exco to carry all manners of people along to take the association to greater heights.
The President, who was represented by his Vice, Mrs Ebele Okafor, reminded the entire members of the association that unity was critical to achieving many things, including government policies and programmes.
The newly inaugurated MATAN Chairman, Kebbi State chapter, Sama’ila Abubakar-Kamba said the essence of the association was to foster unity and boost businesses across the state.
He said market traders account for about 60 percent of the population in the state, adding that it was part of the plan of his administration to register all the traders in the state to enable them get bank accounts with Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), for them to benefit from government programmes.
The association also crowned Gov. Bagudu and his wife, Dr Zainab as National Patrons of the association.
