Kwara State on Tuesday signed two major agreements with the French government on strategic partnership involving the use of innovation hub for knowledge transfer as well as development of the Lata grazing reserve for large-scale livestock production.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq signed the MoU on behalf of the state government, while the French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships Dr. Chrysoula Zacharopoulou inked the deal for the French side at a brief ceremony witnessed by several officials in Ilorin, including Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, French Ambassador to Nigeria Mrs Emmanuelle Blatmann, EU Ambassador Samuela Isopi, House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, and many lawmakers-elect, among others.
The MoU signing was followed by a brief inspection of the Dolby Studio-fitted Ilorin Visual Arts Centre, one of AbdulRazaq’s signature projects, which seeks to promote creative industry using cutting edge technology.
The French team was conducted round the Visual Arts Centre by Studio Contra’s Jefferey Ajei, who spoke on the varying facilities installed and the benefits they are meant to serve.
Speaking at the MoU signing, Zacharopoulou said she’s impressed by what she has seen in Kwara, calling the state a hub of human capital development and praising the Governor for his fine initiatives on education, youth empowerment, and gender inclusion policy.
She also said the Kwara State Agricultural Transformation Plan is a big boost for development in the state.
