Grapes new leadership promises increase productivity

The newly and first ever executives leadership of Grapes Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GRAPPMAN) have promised to improve upon the low productivity along the value chains of the produce saying this will enhance more economic earnings and employment generation in the country.

The consensus president of the Association, Alhaji Abdullah Dalhatu said this in his acceptance speech on behalf of the other executives yesterday at Abuja after their election into the leadership positions.

 

The election which was peacefully conducted by the electoral committee being constituted by the Federation of Commodity Associations of Nigeria ( FACAN) chaired by Dr. Alphonsus Iyange ( President of Oil Palm Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria) witnessed the emergence of twenty one ( 21) officers with Alhaji Abdullah Dalhatu becoming the first president of the Association with a promise of consistent performance towards the grapes increased productivity. 

Alhaji Abdullah Dalhatu stressed that his leadership through the cooperation of other members would fashion out proactive programs towards increase in productivity saying " I will ensure that we reach out to our international counterparts worldwide especially those with similar climatic conditions like ours that will enable us in Nigeria to self sufficiency in grape production for local consumption and export"

 " Our focus must remain on fostering unity, driving innovation, and enhancing the quality and competiveness of Nigerian grapes on both the local and international stages. We must work tirelessly to improve our production techniques, embrace sustainable practices, and ensure that our marketing strategies align with global standards" 

He also craved for unity among members towards better productivity saying that " By working together, we can overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and create a thriving grape industry that will benefit everyone that is involved from the farmers and processors to Marketers and consumers"

 Speaking on the ocassion, president of FACAN, Alhaji Sheriff Balogun ably represented by the Executive Secretary of the Apex commodity Associations Prince Peter Bakare advised the members of the association not to abandon the work of GRAPPMAN to the president alone saying this would enhance evenly spread dividend to all members without resentment or fight. 

Balogun said that " This is not the time to sit back and leave the president to perform all the work, and later be expecting a dividend without work. 

This is what has created a setback in many Agricutural registered Associations where other executives had left the president alone doing the running after taking the official position without any support in terms of finance" The desk officer for the produce, Federal Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry ( FMITI) Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim commended the team spirit of the association's members towards their newly elected officers thereby appreciating FACAN for the better organized election. 

Also the official from Raw Material Research Development Council ( RMRDC), a Deputy Director, department of Food and Beverages, Mr. Mohammed Sheriff Musa stated the readiness of his organization to work with the leadership of the association, saying that was the reason for his present as observer. 

Musa stressed that the mandate of the council is to give research support to any local content of Agricultural produce that can serve as import substitution and enhance employment creation in the country The Deputy Director also commended GRAPPMAN saying that " Your association has demonstrated the ability to produce more grapes to the global world. Your efforts are complimenting the FG'S effort in Agricultural produce" 

Other elected officers are (1)Aliyu Yakubu Garo National youth Leader. North West. (2) Muhammad Dauro National General Secretary. North East. (3) Zainab mohd Bagana. National Woman Leader. North Central. (4) Ike chukwu nnadozie. National Deputy President. South East. (5) Rwang Bulus. National Organizing Secretary. North Central. (6) Hussaini Umar BK. National Legal advisor. North West. (7) Gebriel Inyenda , Zonal Vice President. North Central. (8) Umar Aliyu. Zonal Vice President. North West. (9) Adigun Ademola Isaac. National Treasurer. South West. (10) Adamu Mukaila. National Asst youth Leader. South West. (11) Adeyinka Adewumi. National Zonal Vice President. South West. (12) Saad Adamu Kwairanga. National Provost. North East. (13) Salihu Jalo. National Financial secretary. north East (14) Anyanwu Chikaodi Chinaza. National Zonal Vice President south East. (15) Esther Chinwe Monday. Assistant Woman Leader. South East. (16) Umar musa. National PRO. North Central. (17) Ezekiel Amaechi Egho. National Auditor. South South. (18) Adamu chiroma fogumai. National Zonal Vice President. North East. (19) Sunday Cosmos oko. Vice President south south. (20) Bala dari kaya. Assistant secretary south south.