Seven governors representing the northwest states of Nigeria have set off for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to participate in a pivotal gathering focused on advancing a specialized agro-industrialization initiative.
In an official statement released by the spokesperson of the Zamfara State governor, Suleiman Bala Idris, the dignitaries identified are the governors of Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states.
As outlined in the statement, the gathering will provide the northwest governors with the opportunity to convene with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank, and his team.
Scheduled for November 16, 2023, the meeting aims to deliver in-depth presentations and briefings on the effective implementation of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) programme.
The overarching goal of this programme is to foster food self-sufficiency, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth through the processing of raw agricultural commodities in regions with substantial potential.
Furthermore, the participating governors will benefit from guidance provided by Dr Beth Dunford, the Vice President of Agriculture, Human, and Social Development at the African Development Bank. Dr. Dunford’s sessions will focus on navigating the intricacies of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and elucidating the necessary steps for states to reap the benefits of the programme.
Additionally, the governors will receive insights from Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the Senior Special Adviser to the AfDB President on Industrialization. Prof. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka will delve into the specifics of Phase I and Phase II of the programme, offering guidance on how states can optimize their involvement.
