FG, AfDB working to reduce poverty, overcome insurgency –Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have been synergizing to reduce poverty, create jobs and overcome fallouts of insurgency in Nigeria.
Osinbajo said this on Thursday at the commissioning of the AfDB Nigeria Country Office, Abuja.
According to the Vice President, while Africa has made significant strides in economic growth and in poverty reduction, much remains to be done. The goal is clear – to eradicate poverty, create more inclusive socio-economic development and to integrate the continent.
He said, “I am particularly delighted that the Bank is working closely with this administration in addressing the challenges faced by communities and people emerging from the insurgency in the North East and some of the militancy in the Niger Delta Region.
“With its large market of over 185 million people, Nigeria will continue to be an important player in the Bank’s work, advancing efforts to boost regional integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in particular and Africa as a whole.
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“Nigeria has been important in the growth of the institution as a major shareholder, donor and borrower all at the same time. And we have through the years shared the bank’s vision and objectives. Just to underscore the love between the AFDB and Nigeria, as the President aptly described it as a marriage, we have loaned our own Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to the bank, as he is to our great pride, Nigeria’s first President of the Bank.
“Since its founding in 1964, the African Development Bank has evolved into one of the most efficient vehicles for the economic development and integration of the African continent. The bank has faithfully played its role as a trusted advisor and an honest broker in our region. And has earned its place as the voice of Africa on development issues.”
He reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to the Bank’s strategy in Nigeria, adding that “the strategy is fully aligned with our own Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2018 – 2020.
“As the continent’s premier financial institution, it is at the center of Africa’s transformation to bring real and lasting progress to the lives of African people.”
“Again, congratulations to the President of the AfDB, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the Board of Directors, and the staff of African Development Bank, and all who made this edifice a reality. I want to thank you for listening and in the next few minutes, we will be commissioning the AfDB new complex, ”
Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
