Economy
Mohammed Nur Tijani
Kano, July 16, 2018 (NAN) Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment on Monday inaugurated the Kano Zonal office of the Nigerian Agribusiness and Agro Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).
Speaking at the occasion, Abubakar said the commissioning of Kano office has brought the number to six coordinating offices established for the implementation of the NAADI in the country.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Edet Akpan, said the decision to establish the offices was borne out of the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerate growth and diversification of the nation’s economy.
“The ministry in collaboration with state governments, the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) and Finance and Development institutions initiated the programme.
“With the inauguration of this zonal office, NAADI coordinating office has been established in six locations namely: Akure, Bauchi, Uyo Owerri, Sokoto and Kano in line with the Nigerian commodity map
“This represents another milestone in the effort of the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to accelerate the growth and diversification of our economy, “she said.
According to her, the NAADI programme was aimed at harrnessing the enormous potentials inherent in the non-oil sector of the nation’s economy and other opportunities that are capable of diversifying the revenue base of the country.
She said the idea behind the initiative was to fully develop the priority areas of Agro-industry such as food and beverages, textile and garment, leather and leather products as well as products inspection services.
“The development of these key sectors will ultimately give way sustained poverty reduction, human capital development, and prosperity to the majority of Nigerians, “ she said.
In addition, she said the initiative will also achieve the goal of productive and profitable value chains as well as greater agribusiness participation in domestic and international markets.
In his remarks, the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje represented by the Commissioner of Commerce, Alhaji Ahmed Rabi’u commended the Federal Government for choosing Kano to serve as the Zonal Centre.
NAN reports that the Kano zone comprised Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Kaduna states. (NAN)
MNT/MTM
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