The Kwara State Government has assured Kwarans that the Kwara State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project will ensure sustainability even after the project's timeline, therefore seeks for media support on Implementation.

The State SAPZ Project Coordinator, Engr. Dr. Busari Toyin Isiaka, stated this today, while on media advocacy for the project across media houses in the State, to keep Kwarans adequately abreast of the project stipulations and participation criteria.

The media houses covered during the media advocacy trip included Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation Radio Kwara, Kwara Television Authority, Harmony FM, Idofian; Correspondents’ Chapel of Council of Journalists, Diamond FM, and Alubarika FM, Ganmo.

The coordinator said that SAPZ will promote agro-industrialisation and attract investors who will continue farming operations and keep employment opportunities even after the time frame of the project. acknowledged the role of media (both print and electronics), at ensuring the success for the project.

He assured the people of the state that SAPZ Project will trigger among farmers agricultural competitiveness, for food security and economic development, acknowledging that the successful implementation of projects lies in good media reportage and reputable image-making.

He disclosed that the State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, is one of the Governors who has keyed into the programme since the first phase, adding that SAPZ emphasises zones of high agricultural production.

Busari explained further that Kwara State prioritises dairy and beef production with consideration for crop production, to ensure food and nutritional security, adding that four Agricultural Transformation Centers (ATCs) and an Agro-Industrial Hub (AIH) will be established in the state.

He disclosed that SAPZ Project has in focus women and youths, whose potential will be exploited to harness resources in the state, through the deployment of enabling facilities, provided by government.

"The infrastructure component of the project will transform rural communities hosting the project. It will aid productivity and birth agricultural competitiveness among farmers in the rural areas. With the implementation of Kwara SAPZ Project, women and youths are in focus, to make use of appropriate capable hands in the society, for agricultural productions. Thanks to His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, for joining the project at the pilot phase", he recounted.

Responding, the General Manager, Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation; Radio Kwara, Ilorin, Alhaji Kayode Aremu, thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for the state's participation in the project, therefore affirmed that the project will be a big transformation for the state.

Alhaji Aremu thereafter pledged the support of the corporation regarding publicity for the project’s objectives to be actualised, calling on other media outfits to ensure the project succeeds.

Speaking during the media advocacy trip to Kwara Television Authority, the General Manager, Alhaji Ayobami Akanbi, commended the state Governor for joining the initiative that will give an ultimate answer to the need for agricultural commercialisation within and outside the state.

He described the project which prioritizes women and youths as a heartwarming development, for the betterment of all.

In the same vein, the General Manager, Harmony FM Idofian Hajia Binta Mora, noted that the discretion of the Kwara State Government to harness opportunities with the aim of enhancing agricultural production for employment creation is applaudable.

At the Correspondents' Chapel, Kwara Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Chairman, Alhaji Akeem Garuba, expressed the readiness of the Chapel members to support the project in terms of publicity, adding that the project is worth it.

Similarly, the General-Manager, Diamond FM, Mr. Michael Abiodun Olarewaju, affirmed the impact of the project will be significant among the people when completed.

Pledging his station's support for the project, the General Manager, Alubarka FM, Dr. Rasheed Adigun, explained that the objectives of SAPZ Project will make good news to the people, such that they would easily key in.

Dr. Sangodare Ayinla,

KMCO,

KW-SAPZ Project