RMRDC EXHIBITION PULLS POTENTIAL INVESTORS AT YOBE AGRIC FAIR
Damaturu, the capital city of Yobe state,
recently, was venue for the 5th All Nigeria States &
Local Governments Agricultural Development Trade Fair Exhibition (LOGADEF/YOBE
2006). The exhibition which set out to showcase the various
developmental efforts of government in the area of rural
transformation and enhanced poverty reduction strategies (in
partnership with the benefiting rural communities) provided a
platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas especially in the
field of agriculture and raw materials processing.
The
exhibition equally provided an opportunity for manpower development
and capacity building trainings on controlled Bush Burning, Fish
Farming and Bee Keeping, and a forum to enlighten the public,
through exhibitions, on the programmes and activities of key
establishments including the Raw materials Research and development
Council (RMRDC) towards raw material sourcing, processing, and the
setting up of small-scale industries.
In his
report, the RMRDC Liaison Office State Coordinator for Yobe state,
Mr. G. G. Mustapha, who led the Council representation, expressed
satisfaction with the level of participation at the fair. According
to him, several key ministries and agencies from the three tiers of
government from within and outside the state, including the private
sector and civil society organizations were well represented.
Of the
displays put up by participating agencies, he says, featured a rich
collection of raw materials resources thereby attracting the
attention of many visitors who thronged the various exhibitions
stands to enlighten themselves on the availability of raw materials
potentials of the country, including various investment
opportunities that abound.
While the
Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other investment
organizations who graced the occasion provided the enlightenment
required by prospective entrepreneurs for registration of
businesses, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD),
Yobe Ministry of Agriculture, Yobe Ministry of Women Affairs,
including the RMRDC, displayed tangible agro and mineral base
finished products such as vegetable oil, processed cashew nuts,
maize, Gum Arabic, Crafts and carvings from wood, decorated
calabash, House hold equipments, among a host of others.
Mustapha also
argued that council’s participation at the fair had opened up a new
horizon on public perception of raw materials sourcing creating
awareness on several possible areas of investment. He averred that
the awareness created in this regard was enough to redirect public
opinion and focus for employment creation and poverty reduction at
the grass root levels, even as noted that one could start an
investment in commodity production with an initial capital as low as
N1000.00, a phenomenon that could best be used to tackle
unemployment and poverty in the society.
List of
exhibitors at the fair included: the Raw Materials Research and
Development Council (RMRDC), Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC),
International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD), Yobe State
Ministry of Agriculture, Yobe State Fertilizer Company, Benue State
Government, Premier Seeds Nigeria LTD., Local Government Councils,
to mention a few.
Chuks Ngaha
