…..EU pledges partnership with Nasarawa on climate smart agriculture, clean energy, others
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, says the union is willing to partner Nasarawa State Government in the development of climate smart agriculture, clean energy and innovation.
The EU Ambassador stated this during her maiden official visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Wednesday in Lafia.
She pointed out that EU as an important development partner would also support Nasarawa state in the areas of peace, security, human capital development, education and health.
Isopi said that the EU was commited to partner the state toward diversifying its economy through agriculture, clean energy and innovation.
She promised that EU would increase its investment in climate smart agriculture in order to ensure food security and improve nutrition in the state.
“We are working with other partners in some communities of the state already to support rice production, rural electrification, renewable energy among others.
“We will visit your state again in early 2024 with a larger delegation including the private sector players for a more robust partnership,” she added.
She explained that the visit was aimed at deepening the relationship with the state government.
“The EU has a long standing partnership with Nigeria in the areas of democratic governance, peace and security, economy, trade, climate change among others.
“We do not have many investment yet in Nasarawa State, but we can work together in multi dimensional areas to support the state,” she said.
Responding, Gov. Sule expressed gratitude to the EU Ambassador for the visit and her kind words on Nasarawa State.
He said that Nigeria and Europe shared a lot in common, noting that there were more Nigerians in UK and Europe than any part of the world outside Africa.
Sule said that Nigeria and Nasarawa State believe in same value with EU on peace and security as well as upholding the tenets of democratic process and social cohesion.
The governor maintained that Nasarawa State was open to investment in agriculture, clean energy, oil and gas as well as solid mineral development with particular emphasis on lithium.
He said the state was committed to promoting education, skills and vocational education to enable the youth to become self reliant and address unemployment.
Sule expressed delight with the Ambassador’s intention to lead an EU team from 27 country to Nasarawa in the first quarter of 2024.
He highlighted some of the agricultural potentials in the state where investor could take advantage to invest.
He said Nasarawa was number one in sesame production in the country, with a lot of investors already showing interest in the processing of the commodity for value addition.
“By early next year, we are going to have the first sesame seed processing company in the state,” he said.
Sule also said that the state was looking at exploring the Yam value-chain as well as improving in rice production to become one of the top three producing states in the country.
He also mentioned the potential in Cassava and sugar cane production with the Dangote Sugar company coming on board, to attract investors interested in ethanol production for energy generation.
The governor explained that the state government, through the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) was offering a one-stop-shop for investors where they would be provided with incentives and guided through all necessary process that would guarantee their investment.
