The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said that Nigeria cannot afford to disintegrate, adding that the diversity of the country is the reason why other countries have respect for her.
He stated this at the palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, during the commencement of his two-day official visit to the state.
The acting President, who also unveiled the nationwide Micro Small and Medium Enterprise clinic for viable enterprises for the state at the Calabar International Convention Centre, described small and medium entrepreneurs in Nigeria as the best in the world.
Osinbajo, who also held a town hall meeting with stakeholders, reiterated that the country was better together than apart.
In attendance at the town hall meeting were Governor Ben Ayade, his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Uguru Usani, chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, and Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and a host of other dignitaries.
Osinbajo said, “Cross River State is so much an integral part of Nigeria and every part needs the other. We are greater together than apart. When people speak of Nigeria, it is because of its diversity. Unity is absolutely important because God wants us to be united.”
He said the country has been able to manage its diversity so far, pointing out that crisis of any kind was not a solution to the problems of the country.
The acting President said the Federal Government was doing everything possible to accommodate every Nigerian, noting that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government would continue to work assiduously for the interest and development of all sections of the country.
Osinbajo pledged the support of the Federal Government to the construction of the super highway by the state government, stressing that the initiative would enhance economic and social development of the state.
On the MSMEs, Osinbajo said that the entrepreneurial and creative minds of Nigerians in developing small and medium scale businesses had contributed greatly to the development of the country’s economy.
He added that the clinic was the initiative of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government aimed at developing and supporting entrepreneurship in the country.
“The objective of the clinic is to bring federal agencies to facilitate small and medium businesses at the local and state levels. The whole point of the clinic is to bring those who can heal, facilitate and help businesses to grow.
“Today, I saw wonderful local exhibition of different kinds and I am very excited. I must say that there is so much creativity and originality going on here. Nigeria has the best entrepreneurs in the world. Our duty as a government is to create the enabling environment for these entrepreneurs to grow,” he said.
The Acting President said that if government at all levels could support the growth of entrepreneurship in the country, it would boost the level of development in the country.
He commended Ayade for his developmental strides in the state, describing his projects as viable and relevant.
Speaking earlier, Ayade said it was a great opportunity to welcome the acting President to the state on a working visit.
Ayade lauded Osinbajo for going round to inspect and inaugurate projects initiated by his administration.
Meanwhile, the acting President has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Ayade Industrial Park as well as unveiling the Calabar Rice Factory and the Calabar Garment Factory, which he described as a bold attempt by the governor to develop the state.
