Khadijat Saidu, Birning Kebbi
The Economic Community of West Africa States, ECOWAS has lauded Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State for his unrelenting commitment to the development of agriculture particularly pastoralism to enhance livestock production.
The Governor has also been commended for ensuring the success and integration of Ecowas members states of Niger, Benin, and Nigeria on cross-border cooperation as it affects transhuman and pastoralism.
The commendation was made by ECOWAS representative, Mr. Alain SY Traore at the official commencement of the validation meeting on a holistic program for the development of KADO cross border regions of Kebbi State, Nigeria, Dossou, Niger Republic and Alibori, Benin Republic held at the conference hall of Shagalinku, hotel, Birnin Kebbi.
He said last year during the same meeting hosted by Kebbi State, the three-member countries made a commitment to developing a holistic investment plan on cross-border issues concerning transhuman and pastoralism as well as kick-start infrastructural investment.
According to him, the outcome of that meeting resulted in the draft resolution which participants from the three member countries would look at and validate before the meeting of governors in the tripartite agreement is endorsed.
“If the draft resolution is validated as agreed by the three countries, ECOWAS would be committing 1.5 million dollars yearly for infrastructural development.
“Out of which Kebbi State, Nigeria, Dossou, Niger Republic and Alibori, in Benin Republic would earn 350 thousand dollars each year for the same purpose”, he averred.
The action he stressed would facilitate peace and economic development at the cross-border zone as well as reduce terrorism and banditry in the region.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission of Nigeria, Adamu Adaji said the support for the program couldn’t have come at a better time owing to the security challenges arising from conflicts between herders and farmers across West Africa and the Sahel.
While commending the political leaders in the trio-border regions for showing priority interest in the program, their comment led to further action by development partners such as ECOWAS, CILSS, and GIZ to drive the process further by engaging a consultant to undertake a thorough and holistic study.
The study focused on the promotion of livestock mobility and production in the trio-region under the reference and with a special focus on the grassroots actors in the border communities.
He said the choice of Kebbi State to host the Validation meeting was because of its geostrategic location bordering two West African countries of Dossou, Niger, and Alibori, Benin Republic.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Bagudu for his interest in the project, through his passion and commitment.
He also commended the Governor for his support of livestock production and commitment towards food production which according to him is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agricultural agenda to make Nigeria attain food security.
Pastoral production system, he further added was the main source of Livelihood for a large population in the West and contribute greatly to the economy of the region, hence the need to give top priority to the project.
The Commissioner for Animal Health and Fisheries, Aminu Garba Dandiga who represented the Kebbi State Governor at the event thanked the participants from the three countries in the region for finding Kebbi worthy to host the workshop and pledged the commitment of Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON to sustaining support for the success of the meeting.
The meeting was attended by participants from the ECOWAS countries largely from Nigeria, Niger, and Benin Republics is expected to end on Thursday where Governors of Kebbi, Nigeria, Dossou, Niger, and Alibori Benin are expected to endorse a working document on the holistic program for the development of KADO cross border regions.
