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  • Mar, Sun, 2020

COVID-19: Nigeria Energy Forum reschedules conference to Sept. 9

Postponement
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, March 22, 2020 (NAN) The organisers of the upcoming 5th Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF) on Sunday said the Forum’s conference had been postponed until Sept. 9 and 10, in the interest of public safety and health.

Mr Adekunle Makinde, the General Co-Chair of NEF 2020 in a statement in Lagos said that the decision was reached after an extensive assessment of the global health and safety situation.

According to him, this is part of the organisers’ commitment to supporting governments and public health professionals in the ongoing efforts at containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Makinde, who is also a former National Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said that the proposed new date of Sept. 9 and 10 would be the subject of continuous review as the health and safety situations evolve.

He said that any relevant information would be communicated to key stakeholders in the coming weeks.

“The 2020 Nigeria Energy Forum is set to advance sustainable development.

“However, it is equally important for all stakeholders to contribute to putting safety first and playing an active role in reducing public health risks.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those directly affected by the novel coronavirus.

“In the interest of safety, the organisers welcome the public health advice on frequent washing of hands with water and soap and use of sanitisers, amongst other precautionary steps as outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said. (NAN)
ROR/OSA/AJA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Adeleye Ajayi

 

 

 

 

 

Global confab on investigative journalism opens in Hamburg

By Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Journalism
Hamburg (Germany), Sept. 26, 2019 (NAN) The 11th Edition of Global Investigative  Journalism Conference, tagged GIJC19, has opened in Hamburg, Germany.

Welcoming delegates to the conference,  the Executive Director of Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), Mr David Kaplan, said it was designed to sharpen the skills of more journalists in promoting  accountability and good governance across the world.

Kaplan noted that there was a “growing global backlash against human rights, democracy and an independent press.

“Even in countries where we thought our colleagues were relatively secure, the news media is under serious assault”.

According to him, watchdog reporting is as essential to society as good healthcare, honest cops and a level playing field for businesses to thrive.

He expressed pleasure with the growing popularity of investigative and/or citizen journalism.

The executive director then enjoined the delegates not to be deterred with various threats to their patriotic course.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no less than 1800 journalists from across the world are participating in the 4-day conference, including Africa with Nigeria leading in number.

Other African countries attending the forum are Niger, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Over 400 pitches and proposals as well as 450 fellows from developing and transitioning countries are featuring at the conference.

Similarly, 250 panels, workshops, 14 networking sessions and special events has been mapped out for the delegates. (NAN)
MST/IFY

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

Family Planning: Conference decries teen birth rates in Nigeria

Family Planning: Conference decries teen birth rates in Nigeria
By Vivian Ihechu
Births
Abuja, Dec. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Women Pre-Conference of the fifth Nigeria Family Planning Conference (NFPC 2018) on Monday in Abuja says there is urgent need to stem high teen birth rates in Nigeria.
According to it, this will help to curb maternal deaths in the country as well as improve better health and economic indices in the country.
The News Agency if Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference has its theme as: “Investment, Innovation, Inclusiveness”.
MS Hauwa Shekarau, the Country Director, IPAS Nigeria, in a paper presentation: “Accessing Family Planning Commodities of Choice: Barriers and Perceptions’’, said the high rates have been attributed to a number of barriers to access contraception.
“According to Demographic and Health Survey (2014), an estimated 23 per cent of women aged 15-19 years have begun childbearing, of which 17 per cent have had their first child and five per cent are pregnant with their first child.
“Also 32 per cent of teenagers in rural areas have begun childbearing, as opposed to 10 per cent in the urban areas of Nigeria.
“This survey shows disparities within the geopolitical zones as follows: Northwest 36 per cent, Northeast 32 per cent, North Central 19 per cent, South South 12 per cent, South East eight per cent and South West eight per cent.’’
According to the study, she says, the statistics reveal a direct relationship between the level of education and rate of early pregnancies.
“The northern part of Nigeria, with the lowest literacy rates has the highest rates of early pregnancies.
“The explanation given is that the higher the level of education, the higher the level of contraceptive use and awareness about risks and complications associated with early pregnancy.
“There is also correlation between poverty levels and early pregnancies,’’ she said.
Shekarau said that early pregnancies, frequent pregnancies, unplanned pregnancies as well as unsafe abortions can result in maternal deaths.
According to her, one of the most basic means of avoiding maternal deaths and unsafe abortion is by preventing pregnancy and Family Planning is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent pregnancy.
However, she said there are barriers to accessing FP commodities and services.
“According to UNFPA 2017, one of the major barriers to accessing FP commodities is gender relationships.
“Gender stereotypes are still prevalent in Nigeria, where social norms often reinforce a power structure in which men are seen as breadwinners and women mainly as caretakers.
“Such views can lead to gender-based violence, lack of access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for women and to fathers, limited involvement in contraceptive choices and child development.
“Other barriers to FP commodity include unnecessary costly examinations and laboratory test requirements as a precursor for accessing hormonal contraceptives; providers of biases and beliefs.’’
She said: “Also, lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and youth friendly centres where youths can easily access these modern contraceptives remains a concern in Nigeria.
“Other barriers include the high cost of supplies and limited numbers of outlets from which to obtain contraceptive supplies.
“Lack of sexuality education programmes in schools (and poor quality of programmes where they do exist) and cultural norms that limit the use of contraception is also a barrier to accessing FP commodities,” she said.
Shekarau said that to overcome these barriers, there should be increased knowledge and sensitisation, adequate funding and release of funds, strengthening and equipping health facilities, ensuring contraceptive availability and ensuring availability of data. (NAN)
VIV/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Stakeholders advocates for rights, privileges of older persons in Nigeria

Stakehoders advocates for rights, priviledges of older persons in Nigeria

By Chinenye Offor
Rights
Abuja, Nov. 5, 2018 (NAN) Dr Emem Omokaro, the Convener of Stakeholders Group (SGA), 1st Africa Conference on Ageing, has called on the Federal Government to improve the rights and pribiledges of older persons in the country.

Omakaro, who is also the Chairperson of SGA Africa International Conference Planning Committee, made the appeal at the opening of the maiden edition of SGA on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, older persons are increasing in the midst of a huge youth population and there is need for focus on the demographic divedend, engaging on the transformative narratives that present ageing population.

She noted that inorder to change the trends of elder abuse, discrimination, the system must make room for older persons in terms of ageing inclusion, long term care, life course approach and healthy ageing programs.

Mrs Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, said that the Federal Government was committed to uplifting the economic and social standing of the poorest and vulnerable older persons in the country.

Represented by Mrs Linda Ekeator, Manager, Legal, Ageing Focal Person of NSIO said that the federal government at various levels was obliged to protect and promote the interest of older persons in accordance with the constitutional mandate on the interest of all without discrimination.

Uwais added that Nigeria subscribed to various regional and international instruments aimed at promoting and fulfilling the interest and rights of older persons including the Africa Agenda 2063 and 2030 global agenda for sustainable development.

She said the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced a monthly stipend for older persons and resolved to protect them by enacting the National Senior Citizens Act 2017.

“It is truely wellcone to have an African Regional Conference on Ageing as it focuses on improving the understanding of peculiar national and common challenges of older persons

“It is also an avenue for opportunities relating to ageing on the continent for the purpose of seeking innovative solutions for the inclusion of older persons in the development efforts within various African countries.

“The Federal Government also decided that 15 per cent of the beneficiaries who have been identified as older persons would not be weaned off but rather remain on the consolidated register in order to continue recieving stipends for the rest of their lives as long as the implementation continues,” she said. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola Nigeria, SGA,

Demographic Dividend: NPopC canvasses investments in youths

Demographic Dividend: NPopC canvasses investments in youths
By Esenvosa Izah and Vivian Ihechu
Population
Lagos, May 10, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Eze Duruiheoma, has called for massive investment in youths for Nigeria to reap maximum benefits from its demographic dividend.
Duruiheoma made this appeal at the “1st Private Sector Conference on Harnessing Demographic Dividend in Nigeria” organised by NPC and other development partners in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is: “The Role of the Private Sector in Harnessing Demographic Dividend in Nigeria”.
“The bulk of the country’s population is young with about half under the age of 35 years and characterised by high dependency ratios and unemployment.
“Accelerated changes in this age structure and decline in dependency ratio will result in potential economic growth and human development called demographic dividend due to increased labour income and savings.
“However, although the country has experienced sustained economic growth in the past decade, almost two in every three people are still poor.
“Nigeria, therefore, needs accelerated growth to reduce poverty and inequality, and improve living standards,” he said.
The chairman also said that strategic investment to lower fertility, mortality, dependency ratio, consumption and increase income and savings were of paramount significance to harnessing demographic dividend.
According to him, demographic transition that yields demographic dividend can only be achieved through investments in health education and jobs for young people.
“One strategy that can contribute to this process is investments in private enterprise,” he said.
Duruiheoma said that the commission was committed to working toward the realisation of demograhic dividend in line with its constitutional mandate.
He said that attaining the goals of demographic dividend required the availability of accurate and up-to-date data on the population size and age distribution of the country.
According to him, this is to to track progress made and identify areas of improvements.
“The commission will live up to this responsibility through the conduct of censuses and specialised surveys,” the chairman said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference aims at taking a holistic look at the challenges and opportunities in implementing the Nigeria Road Map on Harnessing Demographic Dividend through private sector investment in young people.
Some of the objectives include to increase the understanding of harnessing demographic dividend among the private sector organisations and the potential impact it would have on Nigeria’s development.
Others include to create a call to action led by private sector to promote investment in harnessing demographic dividend and to leverage on the foum and create a private sector alliance on harnessing demographic dividend in Nigeria. (NAN)
EEI/VIV/MST
Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Nigeria, UNESCO to hold Lake Chad conference in February

NAN-AE-1
Conference
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Jan. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Water Resources says it will host a global forum on sustainable solutions to save the drought-ravaged Lake Chad between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28 in Abuja.

 

Dr Musa Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

 

He said that the theme of the conference was “Saving the Lake Chad to revitalise the Basin’s Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security and Development’’.

 

He said that the ministry would hold the conference, in collaboration with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

 

According to him, the objective of the conference is to create global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinkage of the lake.

 

He said that the forum would be an opportunity to deliberate on the effect of the lake’s desiccation on people’s livelihoods and security, with a view to developing a comprehensive programme and action plan to address it.

 

Musa added that the conference would also inform stakeholders on the consensus of opinion on the different solutions to restore the lake.

 

He said that the solutions included the Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) project, which was aimed at transferring water from Ubangi River in the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Chad basin.

 

He said that there was a need to gather political and financial support for the overall restoration of the Chad basin.

 

News Agency of Nigeria (BNAN) reports that Lake Chad is about eight per cent of the size of Africa and the lake is shared by Algeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Nigeria, Niger and Sudan.

 

The eight countries have an estimated population of 373.6 million, with 12 per cent of the estimated population living around the Lake Chad in 2013.

 

The people living in the basin depend on the lake for water supply as well as farming, fishing and livestock production.

 

However, the LCBC website says that a review of the hydrology of the Lake Chad Basin shows that in the wet years (years before 1973), water inflow into the basin averaged between 30km3 and 40km3 per annum.

 

The website says that in the dry years (years after 1974), water inflow averaged between 20km3 and 21km3 per annum, while the lowest inflow — 16km3 – was recorded in 1984. (NAN)
TAK/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe

AUPCTRE Conference: Members reject delegates list

AUPCTRE Conference: Members reject delegate list
NAN-H-20
Delegates
Abuja, Sept. 29, 2017 (NAN) Members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have rejected the list of delegates for its forthcoming National Delegate Conference, a communiqué has said.
The communiqué, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, alleged that the process of selecting the delegates was not transparent.
The communiqué was co-signed by Messrs Elkana Nabodi and Abdullahi Balange, the chairmen of Bayelsa and Kastina states, respectively.
The communiqué was drawn at the end of meeting of state chairmen and secretaries and National Coordinating Committees (NCCs) of AUPCTRE on Thursday.
“These concerns came up at deliberations on the 6th quadrennial delegate conference on the apportionment of delegates to the National Delegate Conference (NDC) scheduled from Oct. 18 to Oct. 19, 2017, at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
“The aforementioned state chairmen and secretaries of NCCs frown vehemently at the non-transparent way the delegate list was prepared.
“The format and modalities used in the computation of the delegate list is only known to the AUPCTRE National President, Comrade Solomon Adelegan, and we reject it in its entirety,’’ the communiqué said.
The communiqué said there was need for immediate action and review of the list by the AUPCTRE National Secretariat.
It said that the secretariat should state how much it adopted as a ceiling for each delegate and same should be applicable to all state councils without any preferential allocation to undeserving state or organ.
“Why was the list not brought before the National Governing Council (NGC) for ratification and complaints therein dealt with, as the tradition of the union in all past delegate conferences?
“The national president has usurped the powers of the NGC by preparing and distributing delegates to organs in fragrant disregard to provisions of the constitution.
“By the above actions of the national president, it has become clear that he is not prepared for the delegate conference and wants to drag the union into disrepute and chaos thus, intends to disintegrate the union,’’ the communiqué said.
The communiqué called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and security agencies to prevail on Adelagan to desist from acts capable of destroying the union and breakdown of law and order.
Reacting, Adelagan dismissed the allegations, saying that everybody was carried along in the selection process.
He said that neither the delegate list nor the parameters used in drawing it was prepared but by the National Secretariat of the union.
“It was discussed at the secretariat meeting of the union. Afterwards, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union met and discussed the parameters recommended by the secretariat.
“The parameters were presented at NEC meeting in which all members were around.
“We had three options: A, B, and C; and after the motions, we voted to choose between B and C.
“Out of about 35 people who were at the NEC meeting, those that chose option B were less than 10 and those that went for option C were more than 25,’’ he said.
Adelagan said that as a result of the overwhelming vote for option C, only one document was sent to the secretariat which he signed in front of NEC members. (NAN)
CJ/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

TB: WHO holds 1st global ministerial confab

TB: WHO holds 1st global ministerial confab

NAN-HG-4

Tuberculosis

By Yashim Katurak

Abuja, March 24, 2017 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will hold the first Global Ministerial Conference on Tuberculosis (TB) as part of efforts to end the epidemic by 2030.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement in Abuja on Friday that the conference would hold in Moscow and Russia in November.

She said this on the sidelines of the World Tuberculosis Day commemorated on March 24, annually with the theme “Unite to End TB”.

She said the global community had realised the big challenge of ending the TB epidemic by 2030, adding that the conference will help find ways of taking the fight to the next level.

Moeti said TB was still one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

She noted that while the number of TB cases was declining globally, there were a staggering 10.4 million new TB cases estimated in 2015.

She said over a third of these were still not diagnosed and treated, stating that those that had been diagnosed were yet to be registered by any national TB control programmes.

“The global community is realising the very big challenge of achieving this goal.

“To this end, 2017 will see the unprecedented First WHO Global Ministerial Conference on TB in November in Moscow, Russia.

“Also looking ahead to the UN High Level Meeting on TB in 2018 at the UN General Assembly.

“Doing things differently requires commitment to strengthen health systems, improve communication and up skill for health providers if we hope to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of ending the TB epidemic by 2030.

“We will need to build on our achievements made during the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era and reposition resources for best results and impact.

“This will mean uniting together to achieve universal health coverage, involving more than Ministries of Health.

“It means creating opportunities across society; other government departments, civil society and communities, non-governmental organisations and the private sector need to be part of the fight to end the TB epidemic within our lifetime,” Moeti said.

The regional director, advocated for the use of innovation in the fight against TB, stating that the organisation will continue to support countries in strengthening health systems in order to end the scourge.

She said that every fourth new TB case recorded was from Africa which has 16 of the top 30 countries with the highest TB burden.

According to Moeti, every third case of HIV-associated TB is from the Region, with 81 per cent of notified TB patients knowing their HIV status.

She said that Multi Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) continued to pose a serious challenge due to lack of adequate laboratory capacity to detect it and access treatment.

She said: “Because of this, seven countries currently have high levels of MDR-TB.

“In 2014, countries in the African Region agreed to reduce TB deaths by 75 per cent and new TB cases by 50 per cent by 2025.

“To attain these new targets, countries and partners need to intensify efforts to reach, treat and cure everyone with TB.

“In particular, the poorest and most vulnerable people who are disproportionately affected by TB need special attention along with undeserved areas which lack access to basic health services.

“These include migrants, refugees, ethnic minorities, miners and others working and living in risk-prone settings, the elderly, marginalised women and children in many settings.

“Factors such as malnutrition, poor housing, sanitation and other risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use and diabetes affect vulnerability to TB and access to care.

“This access is often hindered by catastrophic costs associated with illness, seeking and staying in care, and lack of social protection, resulting in a vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health,” she said.

Moeti therefore called on governments and other stakeholders to unite to end TB by working closely together to address the scourge of the disease ensuring no one was left behind.

She said that this would require more investments in health care in order to ensure no families were impoverished by the cost of treatment and care of infectious conditions like TB.

The director said the theme for this year’s celebration was the same as last year but with a special focus on “leaving no one behind” in line with the SDGs. (NAN)

KRY/GOM/MST

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

UN urges Nigeria to disburse $1bn pledges at Oslo conference

UN urges Nigeria to disburse $1bn pledges at Oslo conference

NAN-H-106

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, March 6, 2017 (NAN) The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has urged the Nigerian government to step up response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the Boko Haram insurgency.

The body also called on Federal Government to scale up disbursement of the one billion dollars Nigeria pledged at the Oslo conference from the states and the national levels.

Mr Matthew Rycroft, President of the UNSC for March 2017 and leader of the delegation to Nigeria, made the appeals on Monday in Abuja at a news conference on the team’s visit to Nigeria and Lake Chad Basin region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that donors pledged more than 670 million dollars at a UN-backed humanitarian Conference on Northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region.

The conference was hosted by Norway on Feb. 24 in conjunction with Nigeria and Germany to mobilise aid operations in the region.

Rycroft, who is the UK Ambassador to the UN, explained that the mission of the UNSC to Nigeria was aimed at enabling the Security Council get first-hand information on the humanitarian crisis in the region.

He noted with concern that the humanitarian crisis in the North East of Nigeria was unfolding on the scale that was hardly imaginable.

Rycroft said the UNSC aimed to shine spotlight on the crisis so that the whole world, including the governments of Lake Chad region would step up response, before it is too late.

However, the envoy commended the hard work made by Nigerian armed forces and the multinational joint task force towards combating the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting the efforts to root out terrorism out of the region.

 “We stand with the government and the people of this region and in particular the government of Nigeria in confronting the Boko Haram terrorism.

“We commend the effort of the governments of this region to coordinate together and to fight the Boko Haram and we encourage them to reinforce the effort until the job is done.

“We encourage the government to step up to disburse the $1 billion that they pledged to the Oslo conference from the state level and the national level.’’

Ms Michele Sison, the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative in UN, described the Lake Chad Basin crisis as a “complex crisis which deserves a complex and holistic response’’.

She therefore advised the government of Nigeria to ensure that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees return voluntarily to their respective communities and that all necessary services are in place before their return.

According to her, the U.S. would continue supporting the Nigerian government and its people in their fight against terrorism and extremism.

“The UNSC support Nigeria in bringing peace back to the North Eastern Nigeria and the affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin region,” she added. (NAN)

IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Nigeria shops for N314.8bn for recharging Lake Chad

Nigeria shops for N314.8bn for recharging Lake Chad

NAN-H-171

Conference

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Feb. 22, 2017 (NAN) Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama says Nigeria is in need of about one billion dollars (N314.8bn) for recharging of drying Lake Chad.

The minister told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that the fund would also take care of the humanitarian needs of persons affected by Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria.

Onyeama said that an international conference of donor countries and agencies has been scheduled in Oslo, Norway, to raise the funds on Feb. 24.

He said the conference was being put together with the support of Germany and Norway, who galvanised the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts in addressing its humanitarian challenge.

Onyeama said that the U.S., international organisations and civil society organisations were also supporting the initiative, adding that they are committed to making the donor conference a success.

The minister said that it was expected that at least one billion dollars or more would be realised to take care of the needs of the people in the Lake Chad basin.

He described the conference as a great opportunity for the international community to make meaningful commitments towards funding humanitarian response activities in Nigeria.

He said that the conference would present an opportunity for Nigeria to present its case to the world on the humanitarian challenges it is facing.

“The Nigeria Government will want to present the scenario to the international community.

“We will want to also present the road map we have put in place to the international community on the enormous sacrifice and resources we have invested in it.

“The programme is on already, we will look at food security which is immediate threat.

“A large number of children and women are suffering; we have to deploy all the resources we have to address this,” he said.

According to him, the conference will also look at access to medicine and other basic facilities, which require huge investment.

He said the number being affected were up to 10.7 million people, which is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

“We will focus on humanitarian protection for the people of the region and the military gain in the area.

“There are civilians that are now coming up from the places occupied by Boko Haram.

“We are now beginning to see the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in the area and it becomes one of the world biggest humanitarian crisis today and the food challenges,” he said.

He said there was the need for jobs creation for the people in the area so as to address the challenge of restiveness and extremism ideology.

“In the context of job creation we have to look at Lake Chad that provides livelihood to 10 to 20 million people.

“Now that the Lake has shrunk to 10 per cent of its original size, we have to look at recharging the lake which is capital intensive.

“Political commitment is very important and getting the buyer is very important; we are going to this conference to convince other governments especially of industrialised countries to be generous,” he said.

While appreciating that other countries are also facing economic challenges, he expressed belief that if Nigeria stated its case they would be aware of the dimension of what it is facing.

He said that Nigeria was doing everything to show its commitment to the course. (NAN)

IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola