Abia and Kano States governments have sealed a bilateral relationship that will deepen Shoe manufacturing in Aba commercial city of Abia State with processed leather from Kano State.
This was consummated during a recent visit of the Kano State Governor, Dr Ibrahim Ganduje to the state where he was given a chieftaincy title at the Palace of the Chairman of Abia State/ South East traditional Rulers Council, Eze D.r Eberechi Dick.
Abia State Governor, Dr Okezia Ikpeazu explained that the state would leverage cotton and the ternary in Kano to improve the leather, shoes, and bags industries in Aba.
According to him, “Abia will explore ways of making bulk purchase of leather from Kano, to drive the shoe factories in Aba. Our Commissioner for Trade and Investments will soon visit Kano State with Aba leather manufacturers in that regard.”
Explaining more, tIkpeazu averred that every ethnic nationality in the country need to respect each other’s difference, and learn how to leverage the things they share in common for the sake of posterity.
Continuing, he added that “For me, every part of Nigeria needs each other and this is the kind of synergy we need,” revealing that he has opened talks with the Bank of Industry (BoI), to see how best to source the materials.
Responding, excited Kano State Governor oserved that the honour done him would further consolidate national integration that Nigeria yearns for, and urged Nigerians to understand their differences and accept each other as the only way to build a united nation.
Earlier in his royal message, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and now Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi Lamido, who was in Ganduje’s entourage, described Kano as a cosmopolitan society that welcomes and accommodates the residents and visitors.
While hailing the new leather supply deal between his state and Abia, said any country that wants to make progress must be accommodating, and willing to collaborate for economic development not minding party affiliations.
It would be recalled that while Kano State is under the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC), Abia State is governed by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
