Maureen Okpe
The French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Mrs Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the tune of €500,000 with the Kwara state government for a feasibility study on livestock value chain.
According to the statement made available to Global Sentinel by the embassy on Wednesday, in Abuja, the MoU also includes the relocation of the alliance Franchise within the innovation hub.
Zacharopoulou’s visit to Ilorin which was accompanied by the Head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria Samuela Isopi, marked the growing cooperation of France with Kwara State in agriculture and culture.
The statement noted that, “this French official visit is the first one by a foreign Minister in Kwara, aiming to transform the it into an economically viable and self-sustainable state via digital literacy, technology and culture.
“They witnessed the signing of two significant agreements: a MOU between Kwara State and the French company BRLI tasked with conducting a EUR 500,000 feasibility study granted by the French authorities on the modernization of the livestock value chain in the Lata grazing reserve.
“Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the relocation of the Alliance Française Ilorin within the Innovation Hub.
“The generous offer of the Governor of Kwara of a space of 120m² will enable the cultural and linguistic center to attract its public in modern classrooms and facilities.
“The Embassy of France and the French Ministry of Foreign affairs will also contribute to the relocation of the Alliance through an exceptional grant of €10,000, which complements the annual operating grant.
“These projects illustrate the potential of the cooperation of France in Nigeria in the agriculture and agribusiness sector and was particularly delighted that it will also contribute to women’s continuous capacity development, to serve their needs, expectations and dreams.
The French Embassy further stated that, this partnership demonstrates the shared vision of giving younger generations access to quality education and skills that will enable them to thrive.
The French Minister of State also visited the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), chosen by the French authorities as a pilot training center to implement a EUR 600,000 grant programme dedicated to the development of technical education of women in agriculture.
She congratulated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his re-election and nomination as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.