Kano State government and the Republic of Niger have entered into bilateral agreement in the areas of agriculture, energy and other economic activities to strengthen their long existing relations.
At the opening of the first Kano/Republic of Niger Trade and Investment Summit held at the Kano State Government House yesterday, the state governor, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso pledged government’s commitment to ensure the implementation of all regional and bilateral agreements under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The summit is scheduled to end on Friday.
Kwankwaso said the implementation of the ECOWAS agreement was necessary in order to ensure socio-economic and cultural development of the people of Kano state and the Republic of Niger.
‘’So there is need to revive the relationship for economic growth and development of Nigeria and Niger Republic,‘’ he said. “Kano and Niger Republic have a long standing cordial relationship since during the Trans-Saharan trade.’’
The governor, who spoke at length on the importance of the summit to the state and the Republic of Niger, commended Nigerien nationals resident in Kano for living peacefully with their hosts. He enumerated the achievement of his administration and said that when the agreement commenced, Kano would benefit from energy supply from Niger Republic while it contribute its quota in the area of agriculture.?
Earlier, the Minister of Livestock in Niger Republic and leader of delegation, Mamman Alhadji Ousmane had reaffirmed the commitment of his country towards the promotion of trade and commerce between Kano State and Niger Republic.
He commended Gov. Kwankwaso for initiating the summit which he said would go a long way to cement the long standing relationship existing between the two countries.
The occasion was attended by prominent personalities including the Inspector-General of Police, M.D. Abubakar, members of the business community from Kano and Niger Republic and government officials.
Also in attendance were the governors of Niamey, Zider, Maradi as well as Secretary-General of Nigeria/Niger Joint Commission and Nigerien ambassador to Nigeria, among others.???
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