Nigeria has called on the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to channel greater resources under the African Demographic Dividend Programme and other development initiatives to the country, citing its large youth population and commitment to inclusive growth.<\/p>\n
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the appeal during a bilateral meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD, Her Excellency Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council Meeting held July 27-28 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with AUDA-NEPAD to unlock economic opportunities, strengthen communities and promote sustainable development.<\/p>\n
She also urged the Agency to prioritise women empowerment, private sector development and closer collaboration with its National Focal Office in Abuja. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended AUDA-NEPAD for mobilising $100 million for the African Demographic Dividend Programme and praised the leadership of Ms. Bekele-Thomas in advancing the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. She reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding support for the Agency and pledged the country’s continued voluntary contributions to its development programmes.<\/p>\n
In her remarks, Her Excellency Ms. Bekele-Thomas reaffirmed AUDA-NEPAD’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s development priorities, expressing optimism about deepening collaboration to create economic opportunities, strengthen communities and advance the goals of Agenda 2063.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"