FG Promises support for Turmeric Association leaders

The Federal Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (FMITI) has restated, through one of its directors, Mr. Goni Ahmed its readiness to support the value chains of turmeric for more foreign exchange earnings.

The ministry said this during an election conducted to elect new officers of the National Tumeric Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria recently.  

 Ahmed said that the ministry was ready to support the association in getting all it needs to utilize the opportunities in turmeric as a an agricultural commodity and its value chain towards creating wealth, and also addressing health challenges.

While appreciating Federation of Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) on its effort to ensure that the election of the association was a success, he said that there was need for the association and its leaders to work together to develop a good work plan that would be presented to the ministry for further work.

Meanwhile, the election conducted by FACAN led to the emergence of Mikah Adamu Sule as the National President of the National Turmeric Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, along with six vice presidents (VPs) from the geopolitical zones of the country, as officers.

Among the six VPs elected were Alhaji Gurama for North East, Mr. Cyprain Nwankwo for South-South, Alhaji Bello Sani Abubakar for Northwest, Emmanuel Nkama for Southeast, Anjorin Temitope  Oluwapelumi for Southwest and Hajara Abubakar for North-central.

The position of the National Deputy President went to Alhaji.  Lukeman Oladapo, while the post of National Secretary went to Hon. Sauta Bulus and the Assistant National Secretary went to Mr.  Domkap Paul Nanpon; the National Treasurer position was won by Dauda Dawchi while Hon. Paul Anna was elected as National Financial Secretary and Godwin Ishiaya for the position of the Organizing Secretary.

The position of national publicity officer was won by  Mai'Gari Augustine Jato;  National Welfare Officer went to Christiana .A. Kolo and National Women Leader position went to Lydia Suleiman. The post of the National auditor was won by Jerry Tiolary while Adeniyi Adebayo was appointed National Legal Adviser while the office of the Ex-official 1&2 went to Tedious Joseph and Alhaji Dairu Danbaba.

Later, the newly elected president, Mr. Sule told Food Farm News, that with his experience at the ginger association, turmeric has been given a new birth and it would be the best as time went on and that as from January more would be heard of the association.

He  disclosed that the process of having National Turmeric Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria on the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Program going on “and we are sure by next year the association would have been captured on the program.”

He stressed that there was a need to further explore the sub sector, saying that turmeric was a’ golden’ commodity due to its curative nature.

The Executive Secretary, FACAN Prince Peter Bakare advised that more attention should be given to turmeric for being a very powerful medicine and effective for human health adding that the products made from turmeric should be sold in the global markets.