The Kebbi state government is seeking for bilateral cooperation with the Federal Republic of Indonesia on economic, educational, cultural and agricultural development and industrialisation drive.
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state made this known while receiving the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, retired AVM Usra Herdra Heranharp, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Bagudu, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Suleiman Argungu acknowledged the advancement of Indonesia to a modern nation of which Kebbi state could benefit from such remarkable achievements.
He formally requested the envoy and the Federal Republic of Indonesia to explore areas of bilateral relations with the state, especially on agricultural and solid minerals development, which the state had been endowed with.
He informed his guest about the agricultural revival launched by President Muhammadu Buhari through the Anchor Borrowers Scheme in the state that had blossomed into massive rice production for self-sufficiency and food security.
The governor added that the success of such agricultural revolution and galvanised industrial growth in the state had presently manifested in the establishment of different rice mills across the state.
Bagudu listed some of the rice processing mills to include Labana Rice Mill, Birnin Kebbi; WACOT Rice Mill, Argungu; Lolo Rice Mill, Kamba; and Dangote Rice Mill at Shanga, in addition to several small-scale rice mills throughout the state.
“There is also Tomato Processing Plant at Ngaski while artisanal Gold mining at Yauri has continued to thrive, in addition to other solid minerals ready for exploitation.
“I am glad that the industrial development attained through agricultural revolution has provided employment opportunities to many people, created wealth and enhance economic progress of Kebbi state,” he said.
Narrating historical antecedents of the state to his visitor since its creation in 1991, the governor told him that Kebbi possessed cultural dimensions that made it an international tourist attraction.
He cited the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, Yauri Rigatta Festival, Huttungo Fulani Festival, Dakingari and Uhola Cultural Festival, Zuru.
Bagudu extensively unveiled the myriad of achievements recorded by his administration since assumption of power which had projected the state to greater heights and uplifted the living standard of its inhabitants.
He also lifted the financial empowerment to women and youths, signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on ethanol bio-fuel production and healthcare services as additional service deliveries.
Others, he said, were efforts to return out-of-school children back to classrooms, loan package to fishermen and efforts in modernising milk production by Fulani women into global dairy trend.
He said: “I must commend the envoy for the fraternal visit to Birnin Kebbi in this period of Ramadan fast. This has represented a gesture of friendship between Indonesia with highest Muslim population in the world and Kebbi State with large Muslim faithful.”
As customary with the tradition of Kebbi people, the governor presented a colourful hand-woven rug to the ambassador as a souvenir.
Earlier, the envoy had expressed appreciation to Kebbi state government for according him a warmth reception and its desire to establish strong relationship between Indonesia and the state.
The ambassador recalled that Indonesia had been enjoying diplomatic ties with Nigeria since 1965; that had continued to grow in scope and mutual benefits.
At present, he said, the Indonesian government had established scholarship for students from Nigeria and other countries from the non-aligned movement to study in Indonesia.
“Furthermore, the Indonesian authorities are having defence co-operation with Nigeria. Indonesia presently has collaborative effort on agriculture and in other fields with Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States which could also be beneficial to Kebbi state.
“Indonesia possesses expertise on agriculture, construction, rural development, education and defence matters ready to share it with other nations,” according to him.
