as Governor Nelumba
*unveils NASSACO rice
*commissions Lafia Multi-Door Court House
*inaugurates one megawatt solar mini-grid
In a move towards subnational cooperation, Nasarawa State and Angola’s Bengo Province have entered into a bilateral partnership in the areas of human capital development, agriculture, skills acquisition, investment promotion and facilitation, solid minerals development amongst others.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State and the Governor of Bengo Province, Dr. Maria Antonia Nelumba, in a ceremony at the Government House in Lafia on Tuesday.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Governor Sule expressed appreciation for the collaboration, commending the technical teams that worked hard to actualize the signing of the agreement.
While highlighting areas of competitive advantage under the agreement to include mining, agriculture, oil and gas, education and health, he said Nasarawa State and Bengo Province decided to enter into all these areas under the bilateral cooperation.
Governor Sule however noted that, as important as the signing of the agreement to both Nasarawa and Bengo Province, it is the implementation of the agreement that will make the difference. “While the signing of the agreement today is important to us, implementing the agreement is more important to us.
It is extremely important that we all work together with the hard working Governor of the Province of Bengo, with the good people of Bengo as well as Nasarawa State, to ensure that we begin to implement the various items of this agreement,” he added.
Responding, Governor Maria Antonia Nelumba, who spoke through an interpreter, highlighted the historic nature of the agreement.
“Today is a historic day for our two provinces, taking the necessary steps to achieve our goals. This agreement expresses our bilateral cooperation because we are two countries that we are brothers, we move forward to achieve the objective of economic development,” Governor Nelumba said.
She expressed her conviction that the willingness and determination to cooperate with each other would overcome any natural or artificial barriers that may arise over time.
In a welcome address, Ibrahim Abdullahi, MD/CEO of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), recalled that Nasarawa State embarked on a diplomatic trade mission in the Republic of Angola under the auspices of the revitalized Nigeria-Angola Joint Development Commission, based on the need to use subnational both in Angola and Nigeria as the key pillars for the development and economic growth of both nations.
Abdullahi also recalled that in September this year, Governor Sule led a bilateral talk in Angola and established areas of cooperation with the Bengo Province, specifically in the areas of human capital development, agriculture, skills acquisition, investment promotion and facilitation, solid minerals development amongst others.
“Today, in this historic day, the Governor of the Bengo Province has led a powerful delegation to Nasarawa State to make meaning and put into action the discussions held in Angola,” he said.
As part of her two-day working visit, Governor Nelumba took the honour to inaugurate landmark projects executed by the Governor Sule administration to include the unveiling of the NASSACO rice brand, a premium product from the Jangwa-Agwatashi Rice farm processed and bagged by Silvex International.
Governor Nelumba also inaugurated the Lafia Multi-Door Court House, a one-stop investment centre for alternative dispute resolution, as well as commissioned a one-megawatt solar mini-grid at the new State Secretariat complex.
In his address during the unveiling of the NASSACO rice, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abba Kyari, represented by Engr. Ibrahim Alkali, commended the administration of Governor Sule for attaining such feats and for providing effective leadership. “Today, is more than a commissioning ceremony. It is a statement of vision, leadership and purposeful governance. I commend the government and people of Nasarawa State for hosting this visit with clarity of purpose,” the Minister said.
According to Senator Kyari, the commissioning of the projects and unveiling of NASSACO rice as as a result of the commitment and determination of the state government to initiate policies and programmes that would entrench sustainable development in Nasarawa State.
“The commissioning of the Multi-Door Court House and the unveiling of NASSACO rice, speak eloquently to leadership that understands that development is deliberate not accidental. By simplifying investment processes and strengthening agricultural value addition, Nasarawa State is laying firm foundation for sustainable growth, job creation and economic resilience,” he added.
He pointed out that the unveiling of the NASSACO rice perfectly aligns with the policy thrust of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu under the renewed hope agenda for agriculture and food security.
“The unveiling of NASSACO rice also aligns strongly with national agricultural policies under the renewed hope agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, which emphasizes food security, private sector participation, value addition and inclusive growth” he stated.
In a goodwill message, Abubakar Garba Ibrahim, COO Silvex International, appreciated Governor Sule for opening the door for credible partners such as Silvex International, to participate in driving the reforms and transformation embarked by the Governor Sule administration, particularly in the agribusiness space.
“We are happy to be part of this partnership. We at Silvex and as NASSACO have pledged to uptake whatever product that comes from the state-owned farm,” he said.
Dignitaries present at the events included the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamóquina Zau, the Angolan Minister of Agriculture, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, who first chaired the Nasarawa Economic Advisory Committee, traditional rulers led by the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed I, top government functionaries from both the federal and state governments, amongst others.
