Anambra MSME model wins national award

ANAMBRA State Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSME) development has won a national award for most supportive and result-oriented model all over the federation.
The award, which was jointly organised by Federal Ministry of Finance and Federal Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry assessed both investments and results in small and medium scale enterprises stratagems nominated from the entire 36 states.
The state took first prize ahead of Lagos, Kaduna and Abia States, respectively which had earlier made it the final shortlists for the award.
Anambra was adjudged the best micro, small and medium scale enterprises promoting state through peerless programmes introduced by Anambra State Business Agency (ASBA).
Receiving the award from Secretary to State Government (SSG),
Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who led Anambra delegation to at the presentation ceremony in Abuja, Gov. Willie Obiano stated that the award is springboard for his administration to increase its support to more micro, small and medium enterprises in agro businesses, manufacturing, trade and services where the state is doing well.
“It is my intention to support them more. We are getting about N3.5bn from the Central Bank, probably in the next few weeks that we are also going to use to support the people in this area; particularly for the growth of Efi Igbo, Ewu Igbo, Okuko and other farmers that are pioneering things in this area. It will go a long way in assisting the attainment of food sufficiency that we talked about,” the governor said.
Gov. Obiano further stated that his administration had concluded arrangements to access N3.5billion MSME facility from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to be disbursed through ASBA.
Prof. Chukwulobelu presented the award to Gov. Obiano in a session of the weekly Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Awka on Tuesday.
Speaking earlier, Chukwulobelu explained that ASBA has delivered on its mandate, adding that the state government will not relent in its commitment to lifting many more ndi Anambra above endemic poverty with access to finance, ease of doing business, training and empowerment.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASBA, Chief Clement Chukwuka, who received the award in Abuja, said the award was a testimonial of the good work of Gov. Obiano, across all critical sectors of Anambra economy.
“In agriculture, security, you name it, even in the critical engine of micro and small economy, he has been excelling. For the MSME award, he carpeted all other states to come first. It is gratifying to note that some of these governors were on ground when Anambra was announced as the best. As the governor,  he set up ASBA  as a one stop shop  to be the best in micro, small and small enterprise in Nigeria . I think we  are living up to expectation in that regard. I’m excited. It shows that this state is doing well. “I openly say that Gov Obiano came, saw and conquered and took it to another level.  He makes sure that ndi Anambra are enjoying the dividend of democracy. I’m excited working with him, I’m excited to see  him talk; he is a motivator and  a mentor. I give the credit to him,” he said.