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FG launches Ultramodeen fashion Hub in Borno, Targets 48,000 jobs

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The federal government has launched one of Nigeria’s largest ultramodern fashion manufacturing hubs in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a target of generating over 48,000 jobs through the facility in the state.

In continuation of the disbursement of its N75 billion support package for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the government also announced unconditional grants of N300,000 for outstanding MSMEs participating in the 6th Expanded National MSME Clinics programme.

Speaking on Tuesday when he launched the fashion hub and the Expanded MSMEs Clinic in Maiduguri, Vice President Kashim Shettima restated the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fostering innovation, upskilling the workforce, and ensuring equitable wealth distribution across the nation.

“The strength of any nation lies not in its natural resources but in the hands of its skilled and enterprising citizens. You are the surest means of distributing wealth equitably across the land. You are the crucial link to securing a prosperous future,” he declared.

The N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund is being administered through the Bank of Industry, offering loans up to N1 million at 9% interest to 75,000 businesses nationwide.

Announcing the N300,000 grant for each business owners, VP Shettima said, “I am pleased to announce on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that an unconditional grant of N300,000 will be awarded to each outstanding MSME exhibiting at today’s clinic”.

According to him, the intervention represents yet another fulfillment of the promise made by President Bola to provide access to capital and expand opportunities for all Nigerians.

“Every business empowered is a step closer to eradicating poverty, and we do not take for granted the critical role you play as the buffer of our economy, particularly at the informal level,” he added.

On the MSME Clinic, Senator Shettima explained that it provides “a unique platform for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and innovators in Borno State to interact directly with regulatory agencies, financial institutions, and business support organisations.

“It is an avenue to receive practical, on-the-spot solutions to the challenges you face in running your businesses,” he pointed out.

The Vice President also announced the successful completion of the second cohort of the FGN-ALAT Digital Skill inovation Programme in Borno State, a partnership with Wema Bank that has trained over three million Nigerians in digital skills.

“The FGN-ALAT programme has trained over two million Nigerian youths and one million MSMEs in digital skills and resources critical for thriving in today’s technology-driven economy,” the VP noted.

He further stated that the fashion hub is among the largest ever established by the federal government, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment to support the fashion manufacturing cluster in Borno State.

He continued: “It has the capacity to boost production, achieve economies of scale, and align with global standards.

We anticipate that this facility will be managed by a competent private sector entity, with federal and state governments providing vigilant oversight.

“Our vision is for this hub to become a reference point for excellence, enterprise, and training—not only for Borno State but for the entire nation.”

Commending the state government for its support, the Vice President expressed gratitude to the government of Borno State, under the stewardship of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for partnering with the federal government to bring the Expanded MSME Clinic and the fashion hub to the people of the state.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to grassroots economic development, noting that “without skills, innovation stalls. Without accessible capital, dreams wither.

“This is why we are committed to standing with you, supporting you, and ensuring that your most ambitious ideas are transformed into flourishing enterprises instead of being forgotten in the cupboards of dreams not realised,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Zulum regretted that MSMEs had suffered “untold hardship in the state due to decade-long insurgency and the prevailing economic situation in the country.

”He expressed optimism that the launch of the MSME Clinic will revive business activities, small and medium enterprises, provide employment opportunities and sources of income for individuals in Borno State.

Assuring that the government is committed to creating more opportunities for the population, Governor Zulum said in recognition of the importance of MSMEs, his administration has made several policies to encourage the citizens to build expanded sources of income.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that the launch of the MSME Clinic and the Fashion and Innovation Hub marks another milestone of success in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said that going around the exhibition with the Vice President, he observed that “everything speaks to the 8-point agenda of Mr. President.”

He highlighted the agenda to include food security, poverty reduction, job creation, inclusion of women and youths, provision of security, access to capital and rule of law.

On his part, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen John Owen Eno, said the MSME Clinic is a transformational programme being led by the Vice President and is responsible for unlocking a lot of economic opportunities, empowering small businesses and encouraging innovation.

He said that coming to commission MSME in Maiduguri underscores the legacy of diversifying the economy, contributing to job growth as well as trying to be competitive.

Giving a recap of the MSME Clinics across the country, especially in Borno State, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MSMEs and Job Creation, Mr. Tola Johnson, expressed appreciation for the commissioning of the Clinic in the state.

While thanking the Governor and his team for a cordial working relationship, he said that the MSME Clinic organizes an award ceremony every June 27, and any state that the Vice President attends for the MSME Clinic prior to the award ceremony is qualified to win either the male or female MSME award.

Health

Nurses Back to Work After Four-Day Nationwide Strike

A circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike” signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, confirmed the development.

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The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NAMMM) has suspended its nationwide warning strike.

A circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike” signed by the association’s National President, Haruna Mamman, and General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, confirmed the development.

The statement said that the decision was made during a virtual meeting of NANNM’s National Executive Council.

“The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately,” he confirmed.

It partly reads, “NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation.

“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.

“NEC has directed the national leadership to continue monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.

“State councils are directed to mobilise members for the immediate resumption of duty. ..”

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Health

Nigerian Nurses in Govt -Owned Hospitals Beginning Nationwide Strike Tonight

“Private hospitals are not included. This is because for now the private practitioner nurses are not spread over Nigeria,”

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Twenty-five thousand nurses, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, will begin a seven-day nationwide strike, tonight.

The strike is in response to issues which include poor remuneration, staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions.

On July 14, 2025, the union issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding immediate intervention to prevent a total healthcare shutdown.

The National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, said that the strike would involve a total withdrawal of services across all federal health institutions.

The 15-day ultimatum ends by Tuesday, July 29, 2025, by midnight, and the warning strike commences on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 12.01am.

“The action would include 74 federal hospitals – teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, specialist hospitals like orthopaedic, neuro-psychiatric, and eye centres, as well as all general hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and 774 local government areas.”

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UK doctors on five-day strike, shun PM’s plea

Starmer on Friday appealed to the doctors, saying patients were being put at risk and the strikes would “cause real damage”.

(AFP)

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• Uk doctors on strike / AFP

Thousands of UK doctors launched a five-day strike early Friday after talks with the Labour government for a new pay increase failed to reach a deal.

Doctors were out on picket lines outside hospitals after negotiations with the government went down the wire late Thursday, without reaching an accord.

The move comes after the doctors accepted a pay rise offer totalling 22.3 per cent over two years in September, soon after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party took power.

Resident doctors — those below consultant level — have said they felt they had “no choice” but to strike again to reverse “pay erosion” since 2008.

Starmer on Friday appealed to the doctors, saying patients were being put at risk and the strikes would “cause real damage”.

Launching a strike “will mean everyone loses,” Starmer wrote in the Times, highlighting the added strain it would put on the already struggling National Health Service (NHS).

He appealed to the doctors not to “follow” their union, the British Medical Association (BMA) “down this damaging road.

“Our NHS and your patients need you, ” Starmer warned.” Lives will be blighted by this decision,” Starmer warned.

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