Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Wife of the President, asserted on Wednesday that the current administration is intensifying efforts to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. The aim is to catalyze a ripple effect that will lead to increased employment opportunities for Nigerians, providing crucial assistance to those facing financial challenges and enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and families.
Senator Tinubu made these remarks during the official launch of the rebranded and expanded Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), now known as the Renewed Hope Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Programme. The event took place at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa.
The First Lady emphasized the transformative impact MSMEs can have on vulnerable populations, considering these enterprises as the bedrock of the economy. She underscored their crucial role in fostering inclusive growth, particularly benefiting women and persons with disabilities.
In her address, Senator Tinubu highlighted the significance of small-scale businesses in providing a platform for economic empowerment. She noted that individuals with limited resources can become self-reliant entrepreneurs when equipped with skills and a supportive environment.
She stated, “The rebranding of the three components of this programme is significant. Thus, Tradermoni (now rebranded Owo Oja or Olilanya Ndi Nagbambo or Tallafin Sana’a); Farmermoni (now rebranded Owoagbe or Olilanya Ndi Oru Ugbo or Tallafin Manoma); and Marketmoni (now rebranded Iyaloja or Nne Ahia or Agajin Yan Kasuwa).”
Senator Tinubu emphasized that the rebranding is designed to enhance understanding, especially among women, traders, and farmers, by using native languages to communicate the actual implications of the program.
As she unveiled the Rebranded and Expanded Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Senator Tinubu explained that one of its strategic components focuses on offering interest and collateral-free loans to small-scale entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to provide financial inclusion, enabling individuals with limited resources to access the much-needed capital for their entrepreneurial endeavors.
