Governors of seven northwest states departed Nigeria for Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, for a meeting on a special agro-industrialisation programme.
A statement issued by the Zamfara State governor’s spokesman, Suleiman Bala Idris, identified members of the team as the governors of Zamfara, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states.
According to the statement: “The Northwest governors will meet with Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the African Development Bank President, and his team.
“The meeting is scheduled for November 16, 2023, and will include presentations and briefings on utilising the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones programme.
“The programme aims to achieve food self-sufficiency, create jobs and boost economic growth by processing raw agricultural commodities in areas with high potential.
“Dr Beth Dunford, Vice President of Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank, will guide the governors on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZs, and what states must do to benefit from the programme.
“Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser to the AfDB President on Industrialisation will also brief the governors on Phase I and Phase II of the programme and guide for optimising the initiative by states.”
