KANO TO REINFORCE COOPERATION WITH IRELAND, EGYPT FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT – GANDUJE

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has expressed optimism that the state would benefit from the expertise of Irish professionals especially with the present administration’s renewed focus on agriculture and technology.

The governor, who made the remark while receiving the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, said the government is interested in animal insemination and beef/milk management in view of its agricultural resources.

He noted that Ireland has a strong reputation in agricultural development and technology, which he maintained, could be of immense help to Kano state especially as the state is striving towards self sufficiency and less dependence on Federal capital allocations.

Governor Ganduje also said the state government is keen in making Kano a skill - based economy hence the need to work in partnership with countries like Ireland to promote technology and drive economic progression.

 

On his part, the Irish Ambassador, Mr. Sean Hoy disclosed that Nigeria was the location of Ireland's first Embassy in Africa and that his country continues to attach great importance to the bilateral relations between the two states.

He said even though his country is smaller than Nigeria in terms of geographical size and population, it has great potential in agriculture and technology, to help states like Kano to develop their natural and economic resources for common good.

For instance, Ambassador Hoy stated that Ireland has a rich tradition of stockmanship and crop husbandry, adding that today, the country is a leading European nation in beef and milk production as well as export.

The Republic of Ireland has also shown a strong commitment to renewable energy, ranking as one of the top 10 markets for cleantech investment in the 2014 Global Green Economy Index.

Meanwhile, Governor Ganduje has paid a visit to the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ashraf Salama in Abuja. The governor stressed the need for the Egyptian government to assist Kano state government in the area education and medicine, in view of their importance to socio – economic advancement. 

 

On his part, Ambassador Ashraf Salama emphasized the need for closer relations between Egypt and Kano state because they have the same aspirations that centre on economic prosperity, youth empowerment, and viable education systems among other things.

Egypt and Nigeria enjoy a strong cultural affinity that brought the two countries together even before Nigeria’s independence. 

Currently there are hundreds of Nigerian students especially those sponsored by Kano state government, enrolled in Faculties of Medicine, Nursing and Social Sciences in several Egyptian universities.