By Usman Muhammad
Governor Umar Namadi has presided over the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between Jigawa State and the Nigeria-Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce NAGCC.
The MoU aims to promote trade and industrialization in the State.
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In a statement made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel said, the MoU was signed in a colourful ceremony that took place at the Government House Dutse .
He said, Dr. Kassim Gidado expressed NAGCC’s commitment to fostering economic development and trade between Jigawa State and the Gulf region, stressing that the significance of this partnership has been in the making since October 26, 2023, when they first approached the state for the partnership.
“The journey to establishing this relationship began way back on October 26, 2023, when we first came here, and based on that, we worked on the development of an MoU between the two parties.”
The statement highlighted the enormous potential Jigawa State holds, particularly in products like sesame seeds, hibiscus, and solid minerals.
Dr Kassim Gidado said, the signing of the MoU is towards the promotion of products that Jigawa State has a comparative advantage over and the attraction of investment for export-ready industries in Jigawa.
According to him, the NAGCC is committed to achieving these objectives through the utilization of trade house and the regional house located in the United Arab Emirates.
“Given the enormous potential that Jigawa State presents in terms of products such as sesame seeds, hibiscus, and solid minerals, we believe the state will grab a good share of the market within the GCC if proper value addition and quality standards are adhered to”.
Governor Umar Namadi underlined the state readiness and strategic efforts to enhance this partnership.
He highlighted Jigawa’s leading role in producing sesame, hibiscus, wheat, and gum Arabic in Nigeria, as well as its significant contributions to the country’s non-oil exports.
“It may interest you to know that Jigawa State is the number one producer of sesame in Nigeria; we are also the number one producer of hibiscus in Nigeria; we are number one in wheat and gum Arabic. We are right number two in the rice production in Nigeria.”
“Also, what we are doing today may confirm to you that we are prepared to enhance this relationship. We have secured the approval of the National Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) and the Honourable Minister of Aviation that Jigawa State Airport will be converted into a cargo airport. This is in our preparation to enhance this relationship, and I am sure putting a cargo facility in Jigawa Airport will definitely enhance this relationship.”
Namadi pointed out that, the state has been the major producer of the country’s non-oil export commodities.
“Like I said, sesame and hibiscus contributed 75% of Nigeria’s exports last year. And I want to assure you that ninety percent of that sesame and hibiscus came from Jigawa. So, invariably, we contribute 75% of Nigerian non-oil exports.”
The MoU’s signing signifies a mutual commitment to developing market-ready products, establishing a steering committee to oversee implementation, and leveraging the Maigatari Free Trade Zone to attract investors.
The partnership also envisions the establishment of processing facilities in Jigawa to add value to products before export, thereby strengthening economic ties and creating more opportunities for local communities in the state.
Jigawa State, being a major producer of key agricultural commodities in Nigeria, stands to benefit immensely from this collaboration with the with the NAGCC.