The President of African Development Bank (AFDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina says the bank will collaborate with Sokoto State Government to establish an agro-industrial park for the North West geo-political zone.
He also said:”We hope to partner with the Sokoto government to develop drugs and other solutions to tackle the disturbing problem of malnutrition and stunting growth in children.
This is critical because malnourished or stunted children would be mentally or intellectually challenged and cannot contribute to the building of a new African society.”
Adesina who disclosed this during a visit to Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said the bank was interested in partnering with Sokoto State in particular and the North West states in general in view of the huge potentials in agriculture, solid minerals and energy.
He said as a starting point , cotton production would be given priority attention in order to resuscitate the ailing textile industries in the region.
The AfDB boss then called on Sokoto Governor to mobilize governments of neighboring states to key into the idea of the agro-industrial zone.
He also urged Tambuwal to sensitize and mobilize Sokoto youths to key into the bank’s new initiative “Youth in Agriculture.
Tambuwal pledged State Government’s commitment to the realization of the partnership.
He applauded the AfDB president for his contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa.