Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule and European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi
By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela ISOPI, has assured of the union’s plan to partner Nasarawa State Government on agriculture, clean energy development and innovation.
Mrs Samuela, gave the assurance during her official visit to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Wednesday, at Government House, Lafia.
According to her, EU is an important development partner and would also support the state in the areas of peace, security, human development, education, health.
She also said that they would support the state in diversifying its economy through agriculture, energy and innovation.
The ambassador promised that they would increase investment in Nasarawa State, in the areas of climate smart agriculture in order to ensure food security and improve nutrition.
“We are working with other partners in some communities of the state already to support rice production, rural electrification, renewable energy among others”
“We will visit your state again in early 2024 with a larger delegation including the private sector players for a more robust partnership”
“The EU has a long standing partnership with Nigeria in the areas of democratic governance, peace and security, economy, trade, climate change among others.
“We do not have many investment yet in Nasarawa State, but we can work together in multi dimensional areas to support the state,” she added.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule, of Nasarawa State, while responding expressed gratitude to the EU Ambassador, for the visit and her kind words on the state.
The governor, said that Nigeria and Europe share a lot in common, noting that there were more Nigerians in UK and entire Europe, than any part of the world outside Africa.
According to him, Nigeria and Nasarawa State, share same value with EU on peace and security as well as upholding the tenets of democratic process and social cohesion.
The governor said Nasarawa State, was opened to investment in agriculture, clean energy, oil and gas as well as solid mineral development with particular emphasis on lithium.
He said the state was poised to promoting education, skills and vocational education to enable the youth to become self reliant and address unemployment.
Sule expressed delight with the Ambassadors intention to lead an EU team from 27 country to Nasarawa in the first quarter of 2024.
The governor, highlighted some of the agricultural potentials in the state where investor could take advantage to invest.
He said Nasarawa was number one in sesame production in the country, with a lot of investors already showing interest in sesame processing.
“By early next year, we are going to have the first saseme seed processing company in the state,” he said.
