From Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi is leading the Jigawa State delegation at the annual Africa Food Systems Summit 2024, which commenced yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda.
The governor’s participation underscores Jigawa’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food sovereignty and resilience as a model for other states.
This year’s summit, with the theme; ‘Innovate, Accelerate and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era,’ which is scheduled to run from September 2 to 6, will convene key stakeholders to discuss the future of Africa’s food systems.
Governor Namadi will deliver a keynote address at the summit, presenting Jigawa State’s strategies and achievements in achieving food sovereignty and enhancing agricultural resilience.
The Jigawa State delegation will participate in panel discussions to highlight the state’s flagship Rice Millionaire Project and its role in contributing to Nigeria’s national food security, as well as enhance fertilizer availability and accessibility, showcasing Jigawa’s innovative solutions to this critical challenge.
The delegation will also meet government officials, development partners and private sector investors to explore collaboration opportunities and attract investment into Jigawa’s growing agricultural sector.
As the mainstay of the state’s economy, agriculture is a key component of Governor Namadi’s comprehensive 12-point agenda for the development of the state.
Central to this agenda are important initiatives such as the Rice Millionaire Project, wheat project and the Special Agro-Processing Zones, SAPZs, all designed to accelerate agricultural transformation.
Speaking about the state’s participation at the summit, Namadi stated: “Jigawa State is committed to achieving food sovereignty and resilience through sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. We are eager to collaborate with partners and investors to unlock the full potentials of our agricultural sector and contribute to Africa’s food security. Jigawa State is a land of agricultural promise and we invite the world to join us in cultivating a prosperous future for our people and the continent.”
Africa Food Systems Summit is the world’s premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons to advance Africa’s food systems. This year’s theme emphasizes the role of youths, women, innovations and digital technologies in accelerating the shift towards sustainable, equitable, inclusive and climate-resilient food systems.
Governor Namadi was accompanied by a team of professionals, including his Technical Advisers on Agriculture and ICT & Digital Communications, Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy and the Adviser on Inter-Governmental Affairs.
