NEPC, Foundation Partner On Agric Export

L-R:Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Managing Director, Salini Consturction Company, Dr Piero Capitanio, inspecting rice farm, during the inauguration of Gurara irrigation project at Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State last Friday.

As part of its mandate to
create a more competitive Nigerian economy, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation have entered into a one year partnership in efforts to help improve Nigeria’s share of global, non-oil export market.
Under the new agreement, the foundation has provided NEPC with a technical adviser, Maureen Ideozu, through its Elumelu Fellowship Programme.
In addition two associates from Elumelu Professionals Programme – Lawi Laktabai (a Congolese) and Jean-Yves Mutanda (from Kenya) are also working with key NEPC officers to increase Nigeria’s export of agricultural products.
According to a statement made available to our correspondent from the Port Harcourt zonal office of NEPC on this partnership, “NEPC is benefiting from the public good initiative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of NEPC, Mr Olusegu Awolowo was quoted in the text to have said that “I am very pleased with this partnership as we jointly work towards the socio-economic development of our country and the diversification of our economy”.
Among her numerous responsibilities, Ms Ideozu will work directly with Mr Awolowo to ensure increase in the Nigerian Private Sector participation in global trade and liaise with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and other government agencies.
According to Ideozu, the Elumelu Foundation has offered her the opportunity to contribute to increased competiveness for Nigerian companies in a manner that equips them to compete globally.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dr Wieba Boer stated that his organisation was committed to implementing solutions that would improve the operating environment for African’s Private Sector.
He said the NEPC was a key partner in meeting the foundation’s long-term objectives because it is the Nigerian government’s primary institution for export development promotion.
According to Boer, the support would unlock substantial export-driven growth opportunities for Nigeria’s fast growing SMEs.