Katsina State Governor and the Chairman of Northwest Governors Forum, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda on Monday hosted a Northwest Governors’ Forum meeting with senior United Nations (UN) officials and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance top development initiatives in the region.
Addressing the press following the meeting, Governor Radda hinted at the significance of the engagement with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who specifically joined the forum, “because of the importance attached to the forum and to appreciate the kind of leadership in the Northwest at the moment.”
The meeting, which was attended by Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, received a briefing from UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Muhammed and the UN Resident Coordinator, Malick Fall on progress with various programs and strengthening collective pact.
“Members of the forum agreed to pursue quick and high-impact interventions across social protection, education, food security, and climate adaptation,” Governor Radda declared.
The Governor also informed the public about the meeting with the African Development Bank, stating, “We had an elaborate meeting with the African Development Bank regarding NAG 2.0—the Nigeria Agricultural Growth Scheme—which targets the Northwestern states.”
He said the forum is on the eve of implementing this program that would address agricultural development and value chain enhancement within the region.
Governor Radda announced that discussions with AfDB covered the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) phase 2 implementation strategies and the livestock development plan for the region, noting that “While the first phase included Kaduna and Kano States, all five Northwest states will be beneficiaries in the second phase.”
Governor Radda also stated that the forum interfaced with the IRS on renewable energy especially solar and CNG for sustainable and economic growth of the region, expressing readiness to tap from the available resources at the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for the benefits of the region citizenry.
To strengthen regional coordination the Forum confirmed Ms. Maryam Musa Yahaya as its pioneer Director General, Ms. Yahaya brings into the new role her wealth of experience in engagement with international development partners as well as her working relationship with the State Governments at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Secretariat.
“Each state governor has designated a focal person to coordinate development partner programs within their respective states,” stated Governor Radda.
“We have unanimously agreed to work together on economic development, agricultural advancement, addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, poverty alleviation, and youth employment,” Governor Radda emphasized.
“These are the focus areas of our various state administrations in the Northwest,” the Governor stressed.
Governor Radda affirmed the Forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives, stating that “the whole Northwest State Governors are in support of the efforts of Mr. President and his initiatives to provide economic prosperity to our country Nigeria.”
