El-Rufai seeks US, other foreign investments in Kaduna
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state on Wednesday sought the support of the United States of America in developing education, health and agriculture sectors in the state, while calling for foreign investments in the state to create jobs for the youths.
Speaking when he received the American ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, embassy officials and leadership of the Nigerian-American Chambers of Commerce in Government House, the Governor said Kaduna state is battling with rural banditry and kidnapping caused by lack of education, lack of opportunities, while Northern Nigeria suffers poor human indicators due to poor infrastructures across the region.
He noted that with the support of the state’s bilateral partnerships with United States, United Kingdom and European Unions, his administration is doing all it can to address these challenges and give the teeming youths in the state the opportunities they require to be successful, to be steered away from crime and to progress in life.
“Our partnership with bilateral organizations like US, UK and EU is key to our development in Kaduna state. I’m happy that USAID is in discussion with us in this state, we thank the US but we will ask for more.
“Kaduna state as the third largest state, centre of learning and headquarters of the Northern States Governors Forum, the north lags behind their Southern counterparts with several poor human indicators.
“Thus there is need for intervention in health, education and agriculture to catch up with the south and give our young people the hope to develop because lack of hope coupled with ignorance can lead them to crime.
El-Rufai added: “We are battling with kidnapping, rural banditry and all kinds of criminalities due to lack of education, lack of opportunities for our teeming youths.
“Kaduna state has a population of nearly 10 million people 89% of which are youth, what we need is to create jobs for them. We cannot create jobs without investment which is why we commended the Nigerian-American Chambers of Commerce, the most active chambers in the state.
“We are conscious of the burden laid on us by circumstances but we are working hard to make the state greater with your support. We are here to collaborate for our state and country to make headway,” Governor el-Rufai added.
The American Ambassador, Mr Stuart Symington, in his remarks said that he was in Kaduna state to listen, learn and go back to Abuja.
Syminton said that the partnership with Kaduna state will continue because of the importance of the state.
