By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos—The Lagos State and Kebbi State government yesterday, entered into a partnership on the establishment of a commodity value chain that will give a quantum leap to food processing, production and distribution.

The partnership, among other benefits, is aimed at bringing about national food sufficiency and security, as well as creating employment and wealth distribution for the benefit of both states and the nation in general.

The move is in line with the overwhelming calls for a paradigm shift from overdependence on oil as the major earner of the country.

Speaking at the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two states at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the partnership signalled the commencement of a new beginning of cooperation and common-sense revolution, which is in line with the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which calls for patriotism in all facets of life.

Ambode said the partnership would bring an end to the era of imported rice in the country, noting that the country has the economic prowess to produce rice locally.

Also speaking at the event, which was attended by top government functionaries, traditional rulers and members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) from both states, Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu thanked Governor Ambode for providing leadership and innovation that brought about the partnership, adding that same was in line with the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to steer Nigeria from depending solely on oil.

Bagudu said in the world of genetically modified food, the partnership between the two states was an additional motivation to provide certainties for the people in terms of food production and sufficiency, and that the goal is to produce 60 to 70 percent of Nigeria’s rice needs, and replicate same in other food items.