Nigeria is seeking a partnership with the French Government to boost the country’s agriculture sector. This was the outcome of discussions that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu held with the French Minister of Trade and Commerce, France Riester when he led a delegation to France last week to attend the Livestock Summit organised by the French Embassy in Nigeria.
The Abia commissioner for information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said that in the course of discussion with Riester, Governor Ikpeazu requested for greater engagement in the areas of livestock farming with specific focus on Efi Igbo (the local breed of cattle found in Southeast zone).
The partnership would involve vocational training for Abia youths who are willing to engage in agriculture, aquaculture, processing and export of agricultural products as well as support for development of the MSMEs in the state with particular reference to those engaged in export of made-in-Aba brands.
Economic cooperation
“The development of agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the Enyimba Economic City in Abia State is expected to receive a big boost following assurances of stronger economic cooperation between Abia and the French Government,” said Governor Ikpeazu
The Abia Chief Executive described the Enyimba Economic City project as the single biggest development agenda in Nigeria and Africa today and called on the French government and investors to key into the project in which the Federal Government is a major partner.
“Our focus remains to bequeath a better Abia to the people of the state who entrusted us with their mandate and this trip is one of many such efforts. We are hopeful that a lot of positives will come out of the engagement,” he said.
