Since 1996, Nasarawa State has championed itself to be ‘The Home of Solid Minerals,’ but also boasts of a rich tapestry of agricultural diversity, where the cultivation of sesame seeds mixed with soybeans, and the famous groundnut you buy on streets of Kano finds its root down to Nasarawa. Even the millet and maize, popular in our famous cereals are from Toto local government area of Nasarawa state. Not forgetting, even the yam in the pounded yam from your favourite restaurants can also be traced down to this state; among these, however, rice emerges supreme as Nigeria's most consumed staple food, with a staggering 7 million metric tonnes devoured annually.
Our journey to Nasarawa began at 8am, setting the wheels in motion for a
smooth ride. We cruised from Gwagwalada in Abuja, and we journeyed through Kebbi,
finally arriving in the vibrant city of Lafia, home to over 2.5 million people.
It was an amazing trip, as we observed students hurrying to school, towering
mountains, and expansive flat roads. Although the entire road was filled with
farmers, we encountered numerous small business owners.
I made it an obligation to personally honour the
invite of the executive technocrat governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, whose
entrepreneurial spirit and proactive approach have set the stage
for transformative ventures; for a strategy meeting. This is a state I’ve
always admired as a child, for its rich culture and accommodative communal
wellbeing and I must applaud the governor for his dedication to service for the
people.
In the
esteemed presence of other visionary minds such as Ibrahim Adamu Abdullahi, the
Secretary of the Nasarawa Investment & Economic Advisory Council, who
facilitated the gathering, alongside Stella Ajige, VP of Investment Promotion
and Facilitation, of our purposeful meeting aimed to unveil our latest and
boldest endeavour, the 'Sujimoto Farm Estate.' This revolutionary venture
is our vision to introduce the Sujimoto Rice Farm, where we will have over
30,000 hectares of land producing over 700,000 tonnes of paddy rice and
eventually setting up a fully automated farm mill, dedicated to crafting premium
quality 100% parboil rice in Nasarawa State.
Nasarawa
State is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered to the east
by the states of Taraba and Plateau, to the north by Kaduna State, to the south
by the states of Kogi and Benue, and to the west by the Federal Capital Territory.
The state, which is popularly known for its diverse cultural culinary options
such as Tuwo Shinkafa and Miyan Kuka, Dan Wake, Masa, and more, is set to take
its agricultural enterprise to new heights with its trailblazing partnership
with the Sujimoto Group.
We
believe our rice farm estate can enable Nasarawa State to become the next
‘Taiwan’ of Africa to support sustainable agriculture and lower carbon
footprints while traveling, as all food sold and served would be grown locally.
With a farm capacity of 30,000 hectares and with an ambition to scale up to 1 million hectares by 2030, our cutting-edge facility harnesses advanced technology to optimize the rice farming process, ensuring consistently superior rice produce. Sujimoto Farm Estate will be built on an advanced farming system that incorporates housing, farm hospitals, hotels, and markets within an ecosystem, driving agro-tourism, employment opportunities, and affordable housing for Nasarawa State. Prioritizing sustainability by minimizing waste and maximizing yields, we are proud to partner with a state that stands tall as a beacon of excellence in our venture.
In
Nasarawa, time moves to the rhythm of ancient drums, echoing tales of valiant
warriors and wise elders. The air is thick with the aroma of spicy delicacies,
crafted with love and shared with generosity. From the bustling markets to the
serene villages, every corner of Nasarawa hums with the melody of community
spirit. Hence, we could not help but join forces with the godmother of soil
fertility to propel its agricultural enterprise to unprecedented heights.
Since
assuming office as Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Audu Sule has embarked
on a transformative journey, steering the state towards progress and
prosperity. His administration has prioritized infrastructure development, with
significant investments in road construction, healthcare, and education. His
leadership has been marked by a commitment to transparency, accountability, and
inclusive governance, ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach every
corner of Nasarawa State.
“It is
highly unacceptable for a nation of over 250 million people with vast arable
land to lack rice or any other food product.”
Taking
this bold step to reform the future for Nigerian farmers was led by the luxury
real estate mogul, Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, Group Managing Director of the
Sujimoto Group. The Sujimoto farm Estate & Nasarawa State strategic
alliance, heralds a new chapter in Nigeria's rice production capacity and would
see to the employment of over 2000 men and women alike. The Sujimoto
Rice Farm Project shares an audacious vision with the renowned economic luminary
and former Acting General Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Refinery,
as it is in line with what he does, and this is why we see a lot of development
in infrastructure in the State, because where there is no infrastructure,
Farming will suffer. We also commend the Governor, who has built over 1,000km
of roads over the past five years. Through synergistic efforts and the
unwavering support of the state government, we are poised to address the national
rice deficit head-on.
The
Sujimoto Farm project would chart the course towards becoming the biggest
Rice Farm in the Nation, armed with meticulous planning and strategic
foresight, this is primed to change the course of rice
production in Nigeria, ensuring an abundance of this essential staple for all
Nigerians.
‘We rice by lifting the nation.’
Dr.
Sijibomi Ogundele is the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Group, the Czar of
Luxury Real Estate Development, and the mastermind developer behind the
renowned Giuliano. Our other audacious projects, such as the most sophisticated
building in Banana Island, LucreziaBySujimoto, the grandiose Sujimoto Twin
Tower, the tallest twin towers in Africa; the regal Queen Amina by Sujimoto, a
monument to royal affluence; the magnificent high-rise LeonardoBySujimoto; and
the Sujimoto Farm, an advanced farm estate system that incorporates housing, farm
hospitals, hotels, and markets within an ecosystem, creating opportunities for
agro-tourism and affordable housing., among other projects that have etched an
indelible imprint on Nigeria’s skylines, a testament to Sujimoto's unrivalled
mastery of modern-day engineering.
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