Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has commissioned a new branch office of the Bank of Industry within the 21-storey Dakkada Towers along Udo Udoma banking layout in Uyo metropolis.
Speaking during the commissioning exercise on Tuesday, Eno said the commissioning was one of the most business-oriented events since the inception of his administration.
He announced his resolve to fulfil campaign promise to support Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs), as the engine of growth and development.
Eno maintained that it was a bold move towards realizing the lofty goals of the second and fourth aspirations of the ARISE Agenda of his administration which include: job creation, economic prosperity and the promotion of the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship among Akwa Ibom people as well as sustainable economic growth.
He said welcoming the Bank of Industry 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.
He appreciated the Management of the bank for partnering with the state government to achieve its set objectives as well as its role as a premium bank that was dedicated to the task of transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector, supporting SMEs and large enterprises with low interest and long-term loans.
Eno; 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 them and ensure they have sources of good funding,” the governor said.
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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.
Olusi said the business drive of Akwa Ibom was discussed at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, at the United Arab Emirate held in December 2023.
He said the discussion informed the bank management
to bring its operations closer to Akwa Ibom people by establishing its 32nd Nigerian branch in the state.
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.
