In a bid to improve relations and bilateral ties, the Ukrainian Government is set to establish grain hubs in Nigeria.
Investors King reports that Ukraine named Nigeria as one of the African countries where its grain hubs will be situated. It also pledged a donation of about 25,000 tonnes of grains for the ministry of agriculture in Nigeria.
Speaking on the ‘Grains from Ukraine Initiative’, the country’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mr. Mykola Solskyi, who led a Ukrainian delegation in Abuja on Tuesday, assured that the grains would arrive in Nigeria next month.
Solskyi noted that despite the ongoing war with Russia, the Ukrainian food industry is committed to building closer ties with Nigeria.
“Despite all the events going on in the world, our countries are ready to develop this cooperation. The Ukrainian government and Ukrainian president are ready to pay a lot of attention to this development. We want to have regular contact every year not only with our agriculture ministers but with other ministers as well,” he said.
According to Solskyi, the grain hubs will improve the standard of grains that will be brought into the country which will in turn boost the economy and enhance business relations between the two countries.
“Ukraine intends to develop two or three hubs in Africa and taking into consideration the capacity of your country, the grain hub in your country is priority number one. If we implement it well, it would be a practical step towards our business relations reaching a new level,” he stated.
In his response, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama appreciated the Ukrainian government for its donation and support to the country and other African nations despite its current state.
Onyeama empathised with Ukraine over the ongoing war, noting that Nigerian students studying in Ukraine were greatly affected as their education has been disrupted.
He assured that the ties between the two countries will be sustained and Nigeria will ensure at the multilateral level a speedy end to the war.
His words: “Notwithstanding the situation in which your country finds itself, you are able to extend a hand of friendship not just to Nigeria but to other African countries. This demonstrates superhuman courage and we really admire your generosity and we thank you for this support.
“You have built up real specialization in many disciplines and Nigerian students are the beneficiaries. We can continue to strengthen relations between our two countries and our two peoples.”
In his remarks, the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar hinted that ports for the establishment of the grain hubs will be provided.
He stated that Lagos Port and Onne Port in Rivers are being considered for the purpose.
According to him, “the grains coming from Ukraine will increase the amount of grains here and the hub will eventually become a business hub with other African countries and beyond and it will help to stabilize the price.
“We have been having businesses with Ukraine, especially in the agriculture sector and I can say that over 30 percent of our agricultural businesses are with Ukraine, particularly in the area of wheat, fertilizer, and other grains. This, I can assure you will continue to improve our relations.”
