Buhari identifies link between peace, development
President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s focus on the restoration of peace, geared towards enhancing development and progress.
Granting audience to the Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development, Dr Sid Ould Tah, President Buhari said peace and development were complementary to each other.
President Buhari, who recently received an award in Nouakchott, Mauritania, for Strengthening Peace in Africa from the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, said the work of the Arab Bank for Economic Development was critical, and a major catalyst and tool for achieving the overall objective of leaders on the continent.
Lauding the Bank for its investment in Nigeria, the President pointed at strides in the agriculture sector regarding food security systems, capacity building, and integrated infrastructure project.
He said the key focus of the current administration had been security, economy, and anti-corruption, noting that the three are critical towards achieving the continent’s development objectives.
Noting that focus on agriculture and infrastructure allowed Nigeria to be resilient during the last two global economic and public health crises, the President urged the Arab Bank for Economic Development to review the amount of capital it could inject into various economies, as that would lead to greater impact on the various issues that would confront African economies.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, who had interfaced with the bank at its headquarters, thanked the President for ensuring improvement of security in the northeast.
The Governor said the state had now getting grants for livestock farming, gum arabic production, infrastructure, expressing the belief that will still have more opportunities from the Arab Bank for Economic Development.
Dr Ould Tah congratulated President Buhari for his award on peace strengthening, saying it was a testimony to his efforts in promoting amity in Nigeria and Africa.
He said the bank had a strong relationship with Nigeria, and would love to do more in the areas of wheat cultivation, gum arabic, veterinary support services, women, and youth development.
Reporting by Abdullah Bello; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade, Abdullahi Lamino