From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano and Lagos states have expressed mutual desires to develop and pursue a sustainable economic relationship that would benefit their citizens and Nigeria in general.
Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje reiterated their position when he received a joint delegation of the proposed Lagos/Kano Economic and Investment Summit in his office on Thursday night.
While hinting on the comparative advantages between the states, he held that Kano was the commercial nerve centre in Northern Nigeria and a major business hub in the West African sub-region
The governor emphasised that Kano was rich in agriculture and advanced in infrastructure adding that the international airport and modern railway line from Lagos to Kano would go a long way to ease business between the two states.
Lagos State Finance Commissioner, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, while appreciating the need for the meeting, held that leading practices across the globe was between states and cities to come together. Ashade, who led the delegation from Lagos State, described the vision of both governments as instructive , stating that there are lots of opportunities to be tapped in the proposed Summit.
While harping on the need for both states to serve as models to the rest of the states in Nigeria in the light of their backgrounds as hosts to the highest concentration of Nigerians, he noted that “whatever happens to the two states would have impact on the economic development of Nigeria”