May 31, (THEWILL) – Nigeria and France have entered into a partnership arrangement that will further boost Agro-Cultural aspects of both nations.
The collaboration is coming amidst the recent visit of the French Minister of State for Development, Francophone and International Partnerships, Mrs Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, to Kwara State, Nigeria.
Stakeholders in the business sector of the economy have opined that the new relationship will further deepen the mutual trust and understanding between Nigeria and France.
As a result, Kwara State and French Company, BRLI, on Tuesday, signed two significant agreements that would advance the agriculture and cultural industries using modern technologies.
Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, during the official visit pointed out that the relationships were aimed to conduct a EUR 500,000 feasibility study granted by the French authorities on the modernisation of the livestock value chain in the Lata grazing reserve.
According to Zacharopoulou, the Memorandum of Understanding has formalised the relocation of the Alliance Française Ilorin within the Innovation Hub.
She said, “The generous offer of the Governor of Kwara of a space of 120 m² will enable the cultural and linguistic centre to attract its public in modern classrooms and facilities.”
Zacharopoulou, while delivery her speech to mark the growing cooperation of France with Kwara State in agriculture and culture, expressed excitement as she commended the governor for his initiatives on education, youth empowerment, and gender inclusion policy.
She also said the Kwara State Agricultural Transformation Plan was a big boost for development in the state, adding that “French President Emanuel Macron is committed to partnerships with Nigeria and particularly Kwara State, which is a major hub for human capital development. We share the same values with Your Excellency. Our president has a strong affection for this country and the Nigerian people.
She also congratulated Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for a second term of office and his nomination as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The visit, in which she was accompanied by Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, H.E. Ms. Samuela Isopi, was witnessed by several officials in Ilorin, including Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Emmanuelle Blatmann, House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu and more.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
