World Bank Picks Gombe, 2 Others For Global Livestock Summit In France

The World Bank has named Gombe State as one of the only three States in Nigeria selected to participate in the World Livestock Summit, known as Sommet D’élevage in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

The development recognised Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s bold livestock transformation drive and the state’s exemplary performance in the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project.

This was contained in a statement issued by the director-general on Media at the Governor’s Office, Isma’ila Uba Misilli, on Monday, noting that the endorsement of the state came from the National Coordination Office of the L-PRES. Project, a World Bank-supported project.

Misilli explained that the National Coordination Office, in an official letter, commended Governor Yahaya for his visionary leadership and steadfast support for livestock transformation in Gombe State.

The letter emphasised that the outstanding performance of Gombe State in implementing the L-PRES project, as assessed by the World Bank, earned it a well-deserved place on the national team.

According to the National Project Coordinator, Malam Sanusi Abubakar, Gombe State’s strong project performance, backed by functional State Steering and Technical Committees, has made it a model for livestock sector reform.

The Gombe delegation will join the national team in engaging with global stakeholders, investors and experts in livestock production, trade, and innovation.

The summit, which is Europe’s largest livestock gathering, will focus on sustainability, innovation and opportunities in the livestock ecosystem, giving participants access to cutting-edge ideas and international collaborations aimed at strengthening value chains and attracting investment.

The participation of Gombe State in this global event could not have come at a better time, as the state continues to unlock its agribusiness potential through robust and strategic investments under Governor Yahaya.

With projects such as the establishment of the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which includes an ultramodern abattoir, international livestock market, tannery, leather factory, and other facilities, the state is steadily repositioning itself as a livestock hub for Nigeria and West Africa.

The Gombe State Government is expected to leverage the summit to attract partnerships and adopt best practices that will further boost the state’s livestock productivity, resilience and economic growth.