By GAMBO ARABART, Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has expressed delight to the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Samuela Sop, for the visit and her kind words on Nasarawa State Wednesday at the Government House Lafia.

He said that Nigeria and Europe share a lot on common, noting that there were more Nigerians UK and entire Europe than any part in the world outside Africa.

Sule maintained that Nigeria and Nasarawa State share same values with EU, including peace and security as well as upholding the tenets of democratic process and social cohesion.

The governor said Nasarawa State was open to investment in agriculture, clean energy, oil and gas as well as solid mineral development with particular emphasis on lithium.

He said the state was poised to promoting education, skills and vocational education to enable the youth to become self reliant and address unemployment.

Sule expressed delight over the Ambassador’s intention to lead an EU team from 27 countries to Nasarawa in the first quarter of 2024.

The governor pointed out some of the agricultural potentials in the state where investor could take advantage to invest.

He added that Nasarawa was number one in sesame production in the country, with a lot of investors already showing interest in sesame processing with immense benefit to the state and the people.

“By early next year, we are going to have the first sesame seed processing company in the state,” he said.

Sule said the state was also looking at exploring the complete value-chain in yam production as well as the improvement in rice production where the state occupies the fifth position to become the one of the top three producers in the country.

He also mentioned the potential in cassava and sugar cane production with the Dangote Sugar Company coming on board, to attract investors’ interest in ethanol production for energy generation.

The governor explained that the state government, through the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) is offering a one-stop-shop for investors where they would be provided with incentives and guided through all necessary process that would guarantee their investment.

Sule also said that the government was committed to interfaith harmony and would welcome any initiative that would promote same.