12/06/2016 NORTHERN STATES GOVERNORS' FORUM VISIT IDB, JEDDAH

A delegation of Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) led by the Forum's Chairman His Excellency Alh. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State visited the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 31st January, 2016. Among the members of the delegation were the NNDC Chairman Alh. Bashir Muhammed Dalhatu (Walin Dutse), the Group Managing Director Alh. Ahmed M. Muhammed FCA and Alh. Muhammed Bukar Umar. 

The leader of the delegation explained to the Vice-President (Operations) of IDB  Dr. Mansur Mukhtar the purpose of the visit which centered on helping to address the general socio-economic issues in Northern Nigeria.

Further consultations were held between visiting delegates and IDB’s Groups such as Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment & Export Credit (ICIIEC), Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD). Following presentations from these arms of the IDB and in recognition of the vast windows of opportunities for NNDC Limited to tap from, arrangement was made for further discussions with especially the ICD/ITFC/ISFD.

The visit to the IDB Headquarters by the NSGF delegation has opened up opportunities hitherto unknown to respective State Governments and the NNDC. Internal workings of the IDB and its affiliates and the various windows available were explained to the visiting delegation from Nigeria.

Similarly, a common position on the general challenges facing the Northern region was aptly presented via a short video clip followed by a paper delivered by His Excellency the Leader of the delegation, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State. The NNDC and individual States also made presentations on specific projects of interests followed by technical sessions with various specialised arms of the Islamic Development Bank.

It is noteworthy to state that relationships were established during the visit and delegates are poised to explore opportunities from the meeting for support services.