By Peter Oyedele, Abuja

A political support group under the auspices of Tinubu Youth Vanguard Organisation (TYVO) has honoured the Minister of State for Industry,Trade and investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, with a 2026 Patronship Award in recognition of his contributions to industrial development and youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Presenting the award, the Director General of the Tinubu Youth Vanguard Organisation, Hon. Innocent Egede, said the honour aligns with the group’s broader vision to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections by promoting awareness of government policies at the grassroots.

According to him, Senator Enoh has demonstrated strong leadership through industrial policy reforms, revitalisation of industrial growth, and the expansion of non-oil exports, which reportedly grew by about 21 per cent to approximately $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025.

The group also commended his role in SME development, noting that he facilitated the certification of over 1,000 small and medium enterprises for international trade and supported initiatives such as the Women Export Fund to boost grassroots economic impact.

It further highlighted his efforts in strengthening investment facilitation, which helped transition Nigeria’s investment promotion from a passive to an active model, leading to the conversion of several memoranda of understanding into priority industrial projects.

Describing him as a grassroots-oriented leader, the organisation praised his transparency, accountability, and commitment to human capital development, particularly in empowering youths and supporting innovation in technology and manufacturing.

“This is why we have come to honour you and also learn from your wealth of experience,” the group stated.

Egede reiterated the organisation’s commitment to grassroots sensitisation through nationwide campaigns, market outreach, and engagement with community and religious leaders.

He explained that the group has established help desks across major markets and religious centres nationwide to disseminate information on government programmes. According to him, over 100,000 flyers have been distributed to coordinators at ward and polling unit levels to enhance public awareness.

He stressed that the organisation is collaborating with various support groups, trade bodies, and community stakeholders to strengthen its outreach, noting that the ultimate goal is to mobilise grassroots support and ensure citizens are well-informed about government policies and achievements.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, commended the Tinubu Youth Vanguard Organisation for its grassroots mobilisation efforts and commitment to promoting government policies across the country.

He emphasised the importance of such organisations in amplifying the achievements of the administration, noting that Nigeria’s size and diversity require broad-based engagement beyond official channels.

“No matter how well the President performs, there must be people outside the government who take these achievements to every corner of the country,” he said.

The minister described the launch of Nigeria’s industrial policy in February 2026 as a major milestone, noting that the country had operated for decades without a structured industrial framework.

He added that the administration remains committed not only to policy formulation but also to effective implementation, with a focus on value addition, production, and economic sustainability.

Senator Enoh also expressed appreciation for the award and accepted his role as a patron of the organisation, pledging continued support for its activities.