The Kano State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with France.

This is contained in a statement by Ibrahim Shuaibu, press secretary to the state deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, on Saturday in Kano.

According to Mr Shuaibu, Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf made the pledge at a meeting with the French ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, in Kano on Friday.

Represented by Mr Gwarzo, the governor lauded the efforts of former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso in establishing and maintaining progressive relations with the French government.

He specifically mentioned the establishment of French-speaking secondary schools by Mr Kwankwaso in Madobi town and two others in Niger Republic.

The governor assured the ambassador of his administration’s readiness to partner with France in implementing projects and programmes for the social and economic development of the state.

Also, Ms Blatmann said she visited Kano to propose various development projects to the state to create job opportunities and boost its economic status.

She noted that the French government was particularly interested in empowering women with skills in agriculture, technical education, among others.

The ambassador said the French government, through its Agency for Development, had invested about €3 billion in various projects in Nigeria over the last 12 years.

Ms Blatmann listed the projects as urban water supply, urban mobility, energy grid, higher education, mass transportation, rural access, and agricultural marketing project, among others.

(NAN)