The Chairman of the Association of Watermelon of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Ali Marmo, has reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to rebranding the watermelon industry through expanded membership and stronger national advocacy efforts.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kano, Alhaji Marmo revealed that the Association, established just last year, has rapidly expanded and now operates in over 20 states across the federation.
“We started from Maiduguri, and today, we are proud to have our presence felt in most states. Our goal is to build a strong national network that supports the supply and distribution of fresh watermelon across Nigeria,” he said.
The Association, the first and only organization of its kind in the country, aims to champion the interests of watermelon farmers and distributors.
Alhaji Marmo emphasized the importance of creating a unified voice to advocate for fair policies and practices that support the growth of the watermelon sector.
Also speaking , the National Secretary of the Association highlighted the group’s mission to develop lobbying expertise and address critical issues affecting the watermelon value chain.
“We are working to ensure that watermelon distributors are treated fairly and that any regulatory changes are both reasonable and beneficial to our members,” he noted.
“Our presence across the country will allow us to monitor developments closely and advocate effectively.”
In a show of support, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Adviser on Commerce, assured the Association of the state government’s readiness to collaborate.
He praised the Association’s efforts and promised that the government would work closely with its leadership to enhance the industry’s potential.
The event, held in Kano was attended by participants from across various states.
Discussions focused on strengthening the Association’s structure, promoting fair trade practices, and fostering partnerships that will boost the watermelon sector nationwide.