FIIRO in pursuance of its program on strategic collaboration with relevant organizations and agencies for effective delivery of its mandate received the Executives of the Niger State Shea Sector Development Program on courtesy visit on Thursday 26th July 2018.
The Committee of Directors joined the DG/CEO Prof Mrs G.N Elemo to receive the guests. The DG in her welcome speech thanked the leadership of NSSSDP (namely, Prince Ajibola Oluyede - Chairman; Anabel- Vice Chairman and Yosola- Secretary) for the request to partner with FIIRO. The DG said Shea is another gold that is capable of turning around the economy of Nigeria through the development of the Cosmetic and the Pharmaceutical industries. She also mentioned that Nigerians can earn a lot of foreign exchange through export of value added Shea products. Having talked extensively on the activities of the Institute in the area of Shea processing especially value addition along the Shea value chain, the DG assured the organization of the Institute's readiness to partner with NSSSDP to achieve its set goals. The Chairman of NSSSDP in his response thanked the DG for the opportunity for the courtesy visit. He presented a brief on the activities of NSSSDP which he said it's a private driven organization but an initiative of the Niger State government. He said NSSSDP would like to partner with FIIRO on value addition along the whole value chain of Shea including the pulp/fruit, nut etc and on development of appropriate processing equipment suitable for the micro, small and medium enterprises amongst others. As suggested by the Director - E&L, the meeting agreed on the need to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to provide strategic guide for the collaboration. The meeting ended on a very good note with assurances from both parties to work together.