Ganduje Canvasses Cooperation with Lagos on Grazing Areas, Others

Comparative advantage key to economic growth, says Ambode
Gboyega Akinsanmi
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, on Tuesday sought the cooperation of the Lagos State Government in some strategic areas which include the provision of grazing areas, crime fighting among others.

The governor also emphasised the exigent need to learn from the past and present governments in Lagos State, noting that both Kano and Lagos “are two mega cities in Nigeria with common challenges.”

Ganduje canvassed the position at the Lagos State House, Ikeja, during a meeting with his Lagos counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, noting that he was in the state “to learn from it experience.”

At the meeting, Ganduje pointed out some strategic sectors, where he canvassed cooperation with the Lagos State Government, citing provision of grazing areas, crime fighting, infrastructural development among others.
The governor explained that Kano State “is one of the largest producers of hides. The people who are waiting to consume these items are on this side of the country.

“In livestock, with the present problem of herdsmen, Kano State is providing grazing areas in order to improve their socio economic well-being. These are areas that we can come cooperate,” Ganduje said.

He therefore said the meeting with Ambode “is a meeting between two mega cities in Nigeria. So, we have come to share our problems. We are mega cities. Everybody is aware that there are some specific problems that mega cities have to confront; problems of security and crime.

Ganduje added that the Kano State Government being the commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria “is leading from the front to revive the agriculture sector especially in the areas of livestock farming.”

While speaking, Ambode urged states in Nigeria to explore their comparative advantage among themselves especially in the area of agriculture to move the vision of transforming Nigeria economic fortunes for the better.
He said no state “can survive on its own, hence leaders in such states must seek to discover possible areas of partnership that would not only enhance the economy but create jobs for the people.

“What is most important right now is how do we take on our comparative advantage to the betterment of our people? We must start to think about the reintegration of most of the economic activities and advantages that each state has.
“We can create factories here and use products from Kano to sell to the rest of the continent. Kano also stands more like an export zone for most of the West African countries around the zone,” he explained.
Ambode said Lagos and Kano share many similarities considering their mega city status, noting that both cities “stand to benefit from each other to tackle the challenges confronting them and enhance their economic productivity.