Kwara, Zimbabwean farmers sign pact
From Abiodun Fagbemi, (Ilorin) and Idowu Ajanaku (Lagos)
KWARA State government yesterday signed a formal agreement with Zimbabwean farmers to begin commercial farming in the state.
For Governor Bukola Saraki who started the initiative about a year ago, it was a dream fulfilled.
At a colourful ceremony in Ilorin, he said the agreement marked a milestone in the history of Kwara, as it was the first state in the country to bring the white farmers to Nigeria.
His words: "This project will not only create job opportunities, but would transform our agriculture by producing more tons per hectare."
Saraki said beside the agricultural produce which the state and the entire country would enjoy, local farmers would benefit from modern farming skills and technology.
He thanked President Olusegun Obasanjo for his positive disposition towards the realisation of the project and urged the host communities to reap its benefits.
In his response, the farmers' leader, Mr. Allen Jack, who signed on their behalf, said the project would facilitate transfer of skills and new techniques in agricultural production.
Despite scepticism about their presence in the country, he said: "What we have seen in Nigeria is nothing but good people all round."
According to Jack, four model farms have been designated for the project while dairy, mixed and poultry farming are likely ventures to be embarked upon.
The chairman of Nigerian Farmers Council, Kwara chapter, Chief Samuel Ominiyi Gbadebo, appealed to the people of the state to support the farmers to ensure the project's success.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Kwara State government, at the weekend, sealed a $33.4 million agreement for the execution of the agency's programmes in the state this year.
The assistance, which will be in form of cash, equipment and materials for the execution of UNICEF projects, is coming a year after the organisation lifted a four-year embargo on its activities in the state.
Saraki described the agreement as a joint commitment to improving the welfare of the citizens of the state, especially women and children.
He said the lifting of the organisation's sanctions and the signing of the agreement would bring relief to the state in the provision of basic human development inputs.
The governor said the impact of the programme on the provision of potable water supply, primary healthcare and the concern for women and children would help to bring development to the state.
Saraki assured UNICEF of the support of the state government in sustaining the agreement through prompt payment of its counterpart funding, optimum utilisation of materials and effective monitoring of its projects in the state.
Earlier, the Assistant Representative of UNICEF for Zone C office, Kaduna, Mrs. Mahera Khatun, said the agreement was a memorandum of understanding which outlined major areas of cooperation between the state and the agency.
Mrs. Khatun said the agency was founded to ensure the protection of children's right and expand opportunities to enable it attain higher potentials.
In trying to fulfil this mandate, Mrs. Khatum said UNICEF has worked with government at all levels, civil society and other bodies by designing and implementing joint programmes aimed at improving the lives and welfare of children.
She said the agency's priority in Nigeria was in the area of polio eradication, girl-child education, childcare, immunisation and protection, disclosing that Isin, Ilorin East and Baruten Council areas have been identified as focus areas for the implementation of its projects in the state.
The UNICEF boss disclosed that the agency would carry out a mid-term review of the project in August to access its performance and pleaded for the prompt release of the state government's counterpart funding.
She thanked Saraki for his support for UNICEF projects in the state, especially in polio eradication and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Mrs. Khatun also pleaded that the state government's contribution be channelled through its planning commission to ensure accountability and effective monitoring.
She presented a double-cabin Toyota pick-up van donated to the state government by the agency for projects monitoring in the state.
