The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu said that NEPAD will partner with relevant stakeholders to achieve the dream of NEPAD founding fathers.
She made this statement during a courtesy visit and request for partnership to Dr. Kayode fayemi, the Hon. Minister of Mines and Steel Development. Speaking on the occasion, Princess Akobundu said her vision to Rebrand, Reposition, Re-align and Re-launch NEPAD in Nigeria and the Continent can only be achieved by building partnerships and creating a synergy between NEPAD and Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Governments at all levels, Development Partners, Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as well as relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and promote NEPAD programmes at the country level.
Hon. Princess Akobundu added that NEPAD activities which is tied to the four thematic areas has a lot do with environment and natural resources management. She further said that NEPAD could serve as a platform through which Development Partners will be brought in to explore the rich mineral resources that abound in the country while creating jobs opportunities for our teeming youths as well as providing technical support in the mining sector.
She noted that Nigeria’s natural resources are still untapped and that the partnership will open up vistas for diversification of the economy as well as promote programmes and projects that will enhance sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
The Minister in his response, promised to partner with NEPAD and disclosed that he has always been a part of NEPAD, and believes that the vision and ideals of NEPAD should continue to propel the activities in continental development.
He stressed the need to preserve institutional memory by keeping track of past individuals who have contributed to the existence of NEPAD in order to assess its progress so far and what needs to be done moving forward.
Dr. Fayemi added that NEPAD takes mining very seriously, and was part of the team that assisted in developing the African mining vision, which is what drives the activities of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel today. The mining roadmap, he continued, clearly indicates the link between poverty issues to sustainable development.
Ekaete Umo
AD/Head Media Unit
June 1, 2017