•Hosts Director General/CEO NEPC
Governor Mallam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State hosted Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Director-General of the Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and her team at the Government House on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024. Mrs. Ayeni commended the governor for Jigawa State's remarkable achievements in hibiscus, sesame, gum arabic farming, and other crops, making it the leading producer in these areas.
During the meeting, Mrs. Ayeni briefed Governor Namadi on the NEPC's plan to establish an Export Processing Center in Jigawa State. She also highlighted President Bola Ahmad Tinibu's commitment to Nigeria's Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on agriculture and promoting non-oil economy. She emphasized the NEPC's longstanding collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, citing the commissioning of the COMTTRAJIGAWA Hibiscus processing company as an example.
Mrs. Ayeni emphasized the NEPC's intention to expand production capacity, improve services, and train farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. She mentioned plans to provide seedlings and certifications, as well as to enhance processing facilities by opening laboratories in the COMTTRAJIGAWA.
Governor Namadi congratulated Mrs. Ayeni on her appointment and expressed gratitude for her visit to Jigawa State to witness the activities at the Maigatari Export Processing Zone. He assured her of the effective utilization of NEPC grants for the state.
The governor highlighted Jigawa State's achievements, including self-sufficiency in wheat farming and being a major contributor to Nigeria's non-oil exports, particularly in sesame and hibiscus. He reiterated the state's commitment to realizing President Tinibu's Renewed Hope Agenda, aligning with Jigawa's "12 Points Agenda" for greater development.
Governor Namadi also mentioned the state's efforts to register all farmers and establish a database to improve input distribution and boost agricultural practices. Jigawa State is open to investors interested in the agro-processing sector, with many expressing interest in investing in the Maigatari Export Processing Zone. The state is set to employ 1,444 extension workers to support farmers in their agricultural activities.
-Mallam Garba Al-Hadejawy FCAI, FIMC
Special Assistant to the Governor
(New Media)
March 26, 2024
