FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State Export Promotion Committee has urged its members to actively participate in training and capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening the production and export of key agricultural commodities, including sesame seeds, soya beans, and ginger.
The Chairman of the Committee, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Cephas Hough, made this call during the committee’s meeting held on Monday, 29th September, 2025, at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, State Secretariat, Makurdi.
Mr. Hough stressed the importance of equipping farmers and entrepreneurs with the technical expertise required to thrive in export business. He highlighted the need for collaboration with agencies such as the Federal Information Centre and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in driving sensitization campaigns that promote the production and exportation of crops like sesame, yam, and ginger.
He further directed sub-committee members to elect their chairmen and secretaries to enhance coordination and accountability.
Expressing gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia, for fostering an enabling environment for business growth in the state, Mr. Hough encouraged members to intensify their support for farmers engaged in export crop cultivation. He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to regular meetings that would generate actionable strategies for economic development and nation-building.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Friday Ogiri, commended members for their commitment and large turnout. He assured that the committee would sustain periodic training programmes despite existing challenges. He further revealed that export and import activities would now be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Mr. Ogiri also appealed for an increase in ginger production to boost Benue’s export capacity and announced that the next training session will hold on Wednesday next week, urging members to participate actively.
During the meeting, the following sub-committees elected their leaders:
- Sub-Committee on Project Implementation Strategy
Chairman: Ministry of agriculture
Secretary: Federal Information Centre
- Sub-Committee on Production/Cooperation Societies Formation and Operation
Chairman: NEPC
Secretary: Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation
- Sub-Committee on Product Value Chain, Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Chairman: NEXIM Bank
Vice Chairman: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
Vice Secretary: Standards Organisation of Nigeria
Signed
Bridget Udoo Tarker
For: Head of Centre
Federal Information Centre, Makuurdi
