By Saminu Ibrahim
Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration meant well for the people of the Niger Delta region. She said the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative of the government was already working and reaching for the ultimate objective in the zone. A statement signed yesterday by Special Adviser to the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Offi cer of NEPAD, Nkem Anyata-Lafi a, stated Akobundu made the disclosure in Asaba during a summit organised as part of the Niger Delta Agricultural and Industrial Development Initiative. NEPAD boss said the intention of the President was to devise a means to empower the youths of the Niger Delta region by bringing in funds through local and foreign investors to revamp ailing industries, build more cottage ones, develop skills and transfer technology to the youth and women population of the region. ‘‘Th is is why we have come into Delta State with not only investors, but fi nancing and linking institutions like Bank of Industry, Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Bank of Agriculture, Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, NEPAD and the rest. “Th rough these organisations, bankable projects would attract loans and sponsorship, which will in turn trickle down as measurable benefi ts to our people; especially, the youth whose restiveness will be curbed, if not wiped away completely’’. While calling for more support for the activities and programmes of the Presidential Economic Diversifi cation Initiative Team, Akobundu said it was high time Nigeria develop its own economy and create jobs through encouraging the manufacturing sector instead of the current over-dependence on imported goods and commodities.
