British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing says Kebbi State is a secure state in a an insecure region.
The envoy spoke on Wednesday when she paid a courtesy call on Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
The state according her has a lot of opportunity and promising future.
She said that Bagudu has been very committed to inclusiveness and he has ensured wider reach to all the communities.
Laing said, ” Kebbi is therefore a state that other states should emulate in this direction.”
The Envoy said that the governor had bolstered the various agricultural value chains, while myriad of opportunities now abound in the state.
Laing said that her visit to Kebbi state was to asses more ways to strengthen relationships between Kebbi and United Kingdom.
She recalled that her deputy had in 2019 visited Kebbi state , adding, “this visit today is sequel to the previous one.”
On the demise of the British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, Laing said that it was really a very difficult time for UK and the commonwealth community.
The Envoy said the deceased successfully reigned for over 70 years, adding, “she lived an amazing life.
“Her life was a shining one and gratifying as one. She had fond memories of her visit to Nigeria in 1957 and 2003.
“We mourn her loss and we are celebrating her life,” Laing, added.
The High Commissioner also said the new King holds Nigeria in high esteem and he also visited Nigeria in 1990, 1999, 2006 and 2018.
She also recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had variously visited UK , adding that, several bonds exist between UK and Nigeria.
Responding, Bagudu again condoled the UK through the Envoy on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum also felicitated the new King on his ascension to the exalted throne.
He recalled how he happily received the Deputy High Commissioner in 2019, saying that the visit was fruitful.
Bagudu said that Kebbi was an expansive state, with a lot of socioeconomic activities and tremendous opportunities.
Bagudu also said that Kebbi boasts of security and high level of tolerance among its people.
The governor said that the state shares international borders with Niger and Benin republics , with a lot of socioeconomic activities.
Bagudu also stated that the state had recorded a lot of achievements in the last seven years of his administration.
He said that several policies and programmes of the state and federal governments, including the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme launched in the state by Buhari in 2015 on rice production has been successfully.
Bagudu also disclosed that his administration had attracted a lot of local and foreign investments notable among them, Wacot rice mill in Argungu.
He added that subsequently, several small, medium and large scale rice mills now abound in the state.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing was accompanied on the visit by Aneesah Islam Head, Political Section , Elizabeth Drew,
Head of Governance and Stability ,Ivie Ameh Visits Officer and Tope Aroso Security Liaison Officer.
Kebbi State Government officials on attendance were the State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Muhammad Ambursa, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Babale Umar Yauri, Acting Head of Service Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, Hon Faruk Aliyu Nassarawa , House leader , Kebbi State House of Assembly.
The rest were Permanent Secretaries and Special Advisers.
Laing had later at a media parley attended by Governor Abubakar Atiku, reiterated UK’s resolve to bolster relations with Nigeria and Kebbi State .
The British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing was also a guest at the Kanta Museum, Argungu to inspect ancient relics of the Kabawa people, before proceeding to WACOT Rice Mill and later made a stopover at a Ruga Fulani settlement during which she expressed satisfaction about the education progress of Nomadic children.
