By Lubem Gena
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia , has extended an invitation to International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), donors, and global investors, underscoring Benue’s commitment to partnership and collaborative ventures, respectively.
The Governor extended this invitation
during the grand opening of the Sasakawa Africa Association’s office in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
Mr. Donald Kumun, the Governor’s Principal Special in a statement made available to News Headquarters said, in response to soil degradation, damaging impact of climate change and worsening food insecurity in Africa, Sasakawa Africa Assocation, fosters agriculture-centered economic growth, contributing to the creation of a resilient and sustainable food system in Africa by placing regenerative agriculture at the center of its strategy in order to promote sustainable agricultural intensification, nutrition, sensitive and market-oriented agriculture, with co-innovation concept such as; knowledge Creation, Knowledge Packaging, and Knowledge Transfer and Adoption, for implementation with the participation of target farmers and value chain actors.
Represented by the Director General of International Cooperation and Development in Benue State, Mr. Leonard-Angelo Viashima, Governor Alia reaffirmed that Benue State is always ready to engage with willing investors and partners, and expressed the state’s enthusiasm for a multitude of business opportunities.
He emphasized on his administration’s proactive approach to seeking collaborations, especially with the Sasakawa Africa Association, to enhance and diversify key sectors such as agriculture, food security, public health, the economy, environmental sustainability, and waste management.
The Governor while acknowledging the value of foreign grants and assistance as supplementary resources, stressed that Benue State is committed to its independent development and sees international partnerships as a means to expedite its growth and progress.
Also speaking, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Matsunaga Kazauyoshi, commended Sasakawa Africa Association for its impactful work in Nigeria and pledged for Japanese’s continuous support for their initiatives to succeed across the country.
In a remark, the Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), Dr. Godwin Atser, highlighted the organization’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, including job creation, advancements in agriculture, and boostering food security, and called for sustained partnerships and collaborations between the association and host communities, to foster growth and development.
It would be recalled that Governor Alia is firmly committed to the pursuit of sustainable development through collaboration with non-profits, INGOs, donors, and bilateral partners, granted that he has established the Benue State International Cooperation and Development (BICD), a dedicated coordinating unit that is aimed at facilitating seamless coordination, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment in ongoing and future engagements, an initiative which underscores the governor’s vision for a prosperous and cooperative future for Benue State.
