The United Nations has expressed its commitment to working closely with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, recognizing the country’s strategic importance in driving Africa’s sustainable growth and development.
The United Nations emphasizes that Nigeria’s success is crucial to Africa’s prosperity, as the country’s progress serves as a bellwether for the continent’s development – if Nigeria falters, the entire continent’s chances of advancement are severely hindered.
During a courtesy visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Fall, led a UN delegation and reiterated the organization’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s growth and development.
Proposing a humanitarian response plan for Nigeria, fall said, “If Nigeria doesn’t make it, there is no chance for any country to make it. If Nigeria lifts it here, not only our sub-region but the entire continent and the world at large will be on track for the SDGs.
A statement by the spokesman of Nigeria’s Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, quoted Fall as saying, “If we succeed in Nigeria today, the whole of the continent succeeds, but if we have challenges or difficulties to succeed in Nigeria, I am sure it is all of our continent that will be pulled down.”
On the proposed Humanitarian response plan for Nigeria, Mr Fall said, “The plan is beyond helping those who are in need but to set the ground for a transition towards medium and long term development. We need to act now. It is the only way to sustain the successes recorded by the government and other partners to reduce vulnerability in society.”
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Commending the measures so far taken by the Tinubu administration to reposition the economy, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria emphasized that Nigeria is critical to the progress of Africa and must be supported to succeed.
Mr Fall pledged the UN system’s support for the reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration, just as he sought the partnership of the Federal Government to initiate a social safety programme that will mitigate the impact of the reforms on the most vulnerable in the society.
“Your decision is commended everywhere but we (at the UN) felt that before we get the results, there is a high risk that it impacts the most vulnerable segments of our community. And at the UN, we stand next to you to try to look for solutions on how we can mitigate those impacts on the most vulnerable people.
“This is what we want and that is our first initiative – how can we do and work together to step up our work on the social protection front? To make sure that a safety net is in place, bring coherence, bring consistency in a way that helps us address vulnerability that is still prevailing in the country,” he emphasized.
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator also said, “The humanitarian situation in the north has improved and this is thanks to your leadership. But as we speak there is still a humanitarian need, there is still a need to save lives, there is still vulnerability.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima welcomed the UN’s support, promising that Nigeria will work in tandem with the global body to address the nation’s challenges and create a more prosperous and harmonious society for all.
Vice President Kashim Shettima told the UN delegation that the government’s bold moves to eliminate fuel subsidies and harmonize exchange rates were crucial steps to pull Nigeria out of an economic quagmire and pave the way for sustainable growth.
According to Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Tinubu administration stepped into a crisis situation when it took the reins of power last year, with the country reeling from a multitude of challenges that demanded urgent attention and bold leadership.