The National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu said that NEPAD programmes are targeted towards empowering youths, creating jobs and ensuring food security and economic development through partnership with all tiers of government. She made this statement in Kaduna during a one-day stakeholders meeting on National Programme of Action (NPoA).
The visit forms part of her efforts towards achieving the 4-R agenda of REPOSITIONING, REBRANDING, RE-ALIGNING and RE-LAUNCHING NEPAD Nigeria as a hub of economic activities as well as the coordinating body and a clearing house to facilitate the implementation of all African Union (AU) programmes and projects in Nigeria.
In her presentation to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by the Hon. Speaker Aminu Abdullahi Shagali, Princess Akobundu requested for collaboration with the state especially in the area of agriculture and youth empowerment. She added that the visit was to trigger programmes and policies that will deliver to the teeming youths and people of Kaduna State, the gains of good governance.
In his response, the Honourable Speaker said that Kaduna State was prepared to partner with NEPAD in the implementation of programmes so as to drive them to the grassroots.
Princess Akobundu said that NEPAD serves as a window through which international Communities effectively engages Africa in developmental projects. She added that NEPAD will bring in Development Partners to fund projects and programmes that will bring about sustainable economic development in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the technical session with the stakeholders, Princess Akobundu said that the local government has a great role to play as most of the agricultural products come from there. She added that to achieve sustainable economic growth and development in the state, there is need to build a synergy with all tiers of government.
Ekaete Umo
AD/Head Media
May 19, 2017