KWANDCO Spearheads Kwara North's Economic Development Through Consultative And Advisory Engagement
Kwara North, Nigeria - A consultative and advisory engagement aimed at promoting the economic development of Kwara North was recently held at Senator Mohammed Ahmed's house. The event, organized under the auspices of KWANDCO (Kwara North Development Council), brought together Kwara Northerners, renowned international agricultural experts, and a host of other business innovators.
The primary objective of the engagement was to gather advice, suggestions, and commitments on how to harness the government's agricultural programs at both the federal and state levels. Participants discussed strategies to explore and exploit the opportunities in these programs, while also emphasizing the need for value addition in the agricultural sector.
Engr. Suleiman Famro, an international agricultural consultant and industrial engineer, highlighted the potential for Kwara North farmers to enhance their prosperity by focusing on value addition through the processing of agricultural produce, rather than selling them in their raw form. This approach, he emphasized, would not only boost the region's economy but also contribute to Kwara State's internally generated revenues and possibly facilitate foreign exchange earnings through the export of processed agricultural products.
The event also provided a platform for showcasing local business innovators, including the Kuagi Resources ICT HUB. Malama Maimunat Manzuma, the CEO of Kuagi Resources ICT HUB from Lafiagi Edu local government, outlined their organization's plan to enhance ICT skills and penetration in Kwara North, thereby contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.
It was emphasized during the engagement that the proposal for agricultural produce value addition deserved strong support from all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation. The event was further emphasized as a non-political gathering focused solely on the progress and upliftment of Kwara North.
The successful coordination of the engagement was attributed to the leadership of Hon. Ahmad Muhammad, who also served as the Acting Chairman, and the Director General of KWANDCO, Comr. Hon. KoloM. Jerry who is known to be the visioneer behind the project.
It was also evidence that the Council is undergoing restructuring strategically to enable it meet up with the bigger picture of working with all potential development partners locally, national and internationally.
Dignitaries present at the event included Amb. Nurudeen Mohammed (Former Ambassador of Nigeria to Malaysia), Alhaji Abubakar Ndakene (Former Commissioner, National Population Commission), Hon. Alhassan Yahya Bagudu (Former Member, Kwara State House of Assembly), Alhaji Mohammed Shaaba Emagi (Former Chairman, Patigi LGA), Distinguished Hon. Alhaji Attairu Adamu Manko (Business Tycoon), Comr. Zakari Baba Yusuf (Resource person/KWACCIDA), Hon. Dauda Lata (former Member, Kwara State House of Assembly), Hon. Ahmad Rifun (former Commissioner, Kwara State), Engr. Layi Ayinde (former Member, Kwara State House of Assembly), Hon. Abubakar Sidiq Dansoko (Kwara State Commissioner II, Teaching Service Commission), Alhaji Umar I. (Former Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs), and Hajia Fatima Imman (Representative of Mohammadu Baba Ibrahim (MBI).
The engagement concluded with a strong commitment from all participants to work collectively towards implementing the proposed strategies for economic development, agriculture, and ICT advancement in Kwara North.
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