News in brief:
– Yobe State will promote its high-quality sesame seeds and gum arabic at the international trade fair in Meknes, Morocco.
– The initiative aims to attract investors, create employment, and boost agricultural production in the state.
The Association of Regions (Governor’s Forum) in Morocco has extended a special invitation to the Yobe State government to showcase its high-quality sesame seeds and gum arabic at the forthcoming international trade fair in Meknes, Morocco.
Executive Director of the association, Mohammed El Bachiri, expressed the association’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian state to attract investors and marketers for both direct and indirect investments. He noted that the collaboration program also includes financing opportunities for agriculture, environmental projects, climate initiatives, and housing in Yobe’s local government areas.
Yobe government ready to seize opportunity
The Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali, who led the delegation, affirmed that the state will take full advantage of the trade fair to promote its agricultural produce.
“We have high-quality graded sesame seeds, gum arabic, beans, groundnut, and livestock, among others, in commercial quantities across all local government areas,” he said.
Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed state officials to collaborate with reputable agencies and organisations to attract employment and wealth-creation opportunities for the youth.
“The state government is ready to partner with the association to engage our youth in agricultural production, particularly in sesame seeds and other crops,” Malam Wali added.
High-quality sesame seeds and processing plants
Yobe State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Mustapha Goniri, emphasised that the state produces and processes the best sesame seeds that meet international standards.
“The state government, under Governor Mai Mala Buni, has established four sesame seed processing plants to upgrade the quality of the product. The international trade fair presents an opportunity to showcase our farm produce to the world,” Goniri stated.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Adamu Jajere, reiterated the readiness of all 17 Local Government Councils to participate in the trade fair.
“They all have the opportunity to showcase their products, attract investors to their areas, and secure employment for their people,” he said.
Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, Chief Executive Officer of the consulting firm African Network Center, assured that all documentation and requirements for Yobe State’s participation in the trade fair would be completed on time.
Morocco relies on Egypt (80%) and India (19%) to meet its sesame production deficit and direct investment in Nigeria’s sesame industry could help the country diversify imports and give it more control over production. It ships gum arabic from Saudi Arabia and it is a major exporter, which means that producers re-export most of the imports after processing. Farmers in Yobe State stand to gain more international customers if the deal is successful.
