AfDB to partner with Sokoto on Agro-Industrial Park for North-West

African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has made it known that AFDB will partner with Sokoto State government in its plan to establish an agro-industrial park for the North- West geo-political zone.

New Telegraph reports that to realise this, Adesina said cotton production would be given priority attention as a way of resuscitating the zone’s ailing textile industry. Speaking when he visited Governor Aminu Tambuwal in Sokoto, Adesina said the bank was interested in partnering with Sokoto State in particular and the North-West states in general because of the huge potentials in agriculture, solid minerals and energy.

He urged the governor to mobilise governments of the neighbouring states to key into the idea of an agro-industrial zone, as it would better serve the interest of the nation if the governments enter into partnership with AfDB as a collective.

New Telegraph reports that a statement issued yesterday by Governor Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, quoted Adesina as saying that the AfDB would also facilitate the state government’s efforts to engage with the  private sector to mobilise resources for a number of projects in sectors like medical tourism, healthcare delivery, renewable energy, agriculture and especially harnessing the state’s potential in the manufacture of fertilizer.

“We hope to partner with the Sokoto government to develop drugs and other solutions to tackle the disturbing problem of malnutrition and stunting growth in children.

This is critical because malnourished or stunted children would be mentally or intellectually challenged and cannot contribute to the building of a new African society,” Adesina added.

Adesina urged Tambuwal to sensitise and mobilise Sokoto youths to key into the bank’s new initiative; “Youth in Agriculture,” under which no fewer than 1,000 youths in each state of the federation would be supported to take to agriculture and make it a life-long endeavour.

Source: New Telegraph