NIGERIA. Abuja: The federal government of Nigeria and the United States of America has signed an arrangement deal worth $2.17bn aimed at the boom of the education, health standards and other services of the West African country.
The deal was made known during a press conference with the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo and Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, Geoffrey Onyeama in the statehouse, Abuja.
Blinken however noted that the UN is synergizing with Nigeria to rebuild the health, educational and other sectors of the economy after it was bathed with the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The agreement will also help in enhancing the economy of Nigeria and will encourage further development in numerous sectors with instruments needed by Nigeria’s rising generations to thrive both, at home and in the global economy.
Blinken added that the U.S. is ready to work and assist the Nigerian government in achieving economic growth and to more attention in the global market. This will also allow the country to be in a more stable atmosphere and see more foreign investments coming.
A part of the agreement is – provision of primary healthcare which is very significant, as above 60 million Nigerians will benefit from it. It will also assist in creating a standard structure for Nigerians after the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the health sector and will also help in immunising public health which will serve as preparatory means of curtailing future occurrence of a pandemic, Blinken said during the conference.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a five-year plan of a $110m project – the Nigeria power sector programme. This focuses on supporting key initiatives like the solar power major, which will bring solar energy to 25 million Nigerians who are off the electric grid and do not have access to power. This access to power is expected to create as many as 250,000 new jobs in the energy sector, spur local industry, generate 18 and a half million dollars in annual tax revenues. Blinken said that such a power sector programme will have practical, meaningful effects.
Tackling problems of insecurity in Nigeria
In other news, the U.S. is partnering with Nigeria to solve issues of insecurity, such as those affected by the continuous problems of Boko Haram, ISIS and other terrorist-extremist gangs threatening the country and continent in general.
Intelligence and critical measures will be taken to harness and enhance security forces and solve already existing issues of insecurity and bring sponsors to book, Blinken disclosed.
Blinken therefore pleaded with the Nigeria government to make all necessary safety arrangements to ensure the human rights of the Nigerians, including journalists and human right fighters with utmost seriousness.
“I look very much forward to meeting several of these leaders tomorrow, including faith leaders who are defusing communal tensions and promoting peace. And we look forward to Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy joining the summit for democracy next month,” Blinken said.
Blinken added that China provides better chances when it comes to security and development of the country and economy. The secretary urged the U.S. government to replicate the same gestures.
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