From Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has signed a memorandum of understanding, MOU, at the headquarters of Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa in Khartoum, Sudan on behalf of BORNO state government for the exportation of wheat and gum Arabic produced by farmers in the state.
Received by the Bank’s Director General, Sidi Ould Tah, and other top executives highlighted in a video documentary the challenges Borno state has faced due to terrorism attacks on communities affecting the on-going rebuilding and economic recovery efforts as well as the huge opportunities in agriculture in its vast and fertile land resources for irrigation and rain fed agriculture.
Governor Zulum who arrived the Sudanese capital at the weekend was accompanied on the trip by Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Agriculture, Bukar Tijjani, a Borno indigene and an expert on international agricultural development, commissioner for local governments and emirate affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, Chairman of Borno’s Mega Farms Project, Musa Inuwa Kubo and Adviser on Sustainable Development, Partnerships and Humanitarian Response.
According to him Borno is one ofthe leading producers of wheat and gum arabic in Nigeria while the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, established by 18 Arab countries (the League of Arab States) in 1973 and began operations in 1975 with the objective of strengthening economic, financial and technical co-operation between Arab countries and African regions through financing opportunities for economic development in African countries.
BORNO state has proven its potentiallties as a major producer of wheat and gum arabic, among other food and cash-crops, seeking partnership for increased value chain and export, to tap into the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development in the bank’s operational structure.
The bank’s team also made an overview presentation on Nigeria’s wheat, gum arabic and date palm productions, granted Governor Zulum’s request towards identifying specifics for both parties and implementing them.
