Press Release: LAGOS/OGUN NIGERIAN COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT (NICOP) FOR TOMATO, PEPPER, CHILLI, GARMENT AND LEATHER VALUE CHAINS OF THE GERMAN AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GIZ) IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED.

The Regional Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) under the West Africa Competitiveness Programme for Lagos and Ogun States in the tomato, pepper, chilli, ginger, garment and leather value chains has been officially launched by Governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta in Ogun state.

The event involved Lagos, Ogun States and GIZ in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Federal Government FG) of Nigeria.

Governor Abiodun who was represented by His Deputy, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako–Oyedele expressed his administration’s interest to widen the investors’ opportunities in the Agricultural sector based on human and mineral resources availability.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina revealed that the Ministry would be training small holder farmers towards increased productivity, link farmers with inputs, credits and market towards job creation and food security adding that 3,000 farmers will benefit in the tomato and chilli pepper value chain in the state just as the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal also promised to strengthen the collaboration between the two states.

In attendance at the programme were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo represented by Mallam Ibraheem Ahmed and Minister of Budget and National Planning, represented by Mrs. Olabode Owolabi, Consultant to Ogun State Governor on Agriculture, Dr (Mrs) Angel Adelaja-Kuye, Chairman, Anchor Borrowers Steering Committee, Prof. Bola Okunneye, Head, Development Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs Oluyemi Olukoya, Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dotun Sorunke, Top Federal and State Government functionaries, Farmer Groups, Processors, Input Suppliers, Agencies, International Development Partners, among others.