An international charity organisation, Christian Aid has expanded its obligation to the Nigerian state, with the launch of a new 7-year strategic plan, titled ‘Standing Together.”
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony yesterday in Abuja its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, said the plan aims at fostering “a just, equitable and peaceful society where poverty is eradicated, and everyone is empowered to live life in all its fullness.”
Mukwashi described Nigeria as an extremely important country in Africa, adding that the country has the potential to lead the growth and development of the continent.
She expressed her delight to be in Nigeria to launch the country, noting that Christian Aid is committed to alliviating poverty among citizens.
She said, “The plan which covers 2019 to 2016 will guide the implementation of Christian Aid’s programmes in Nigeria and is expected to “significantly contribute to Nigeria’s strides in meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Nigeria’s social and economic development goals as articulated in the Nigeria’s 2017 – 2020 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.
“Christian Aid will not seat comfortably looking at the number of people living in poverty and fail to act. We will work with stakeholders to identify the root cause of poverty and fight it together,” she said.
She maintained that “poverty is not an accident” tasking the civil society to speak truth to the powers that be and the need for everyone to work together to tackle economic systems that are impoverishing citizens.
“For us at Christian Aid we are tackling those issues at power and structure level.” She added, our organisation is committed to the faithful implementation of the strategy according to plans and schedules,” she assured.
In his welcome address, the Country Director, Christian Aid in Nigeria, Charles Usie, said for 15 years, the organisation has worked “to empower the poorest and most vulnerable groups in selected locations to take ownership of their development through critical programme areas.
“Our work has brought about lasting impacts in the lives of individuals and communities, giving hope to those in despair and reaching out to those hardest to reach.
“The development of this 7-year strategy which began in 2017 has been both an arduous and exciting journey as we step into a new phase of programme delivery with the sustained and reinvigorated purpose of an end to poverty in Nigeria,” he said.
