NEPAD Nigeria CEO, Princess Gloria Akobundu, says the Buhari Administration means well for the people of the
Niger Delta region and has assured the zone that the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative of Mr
President is already working and reaching for the ultimate objective.
The NEPAD Nigeria boss, who stated the above, Saturday, in Asaba, Delta State, while interacting with journalists
during the summit that was organised as part of the Niger Delta Agricultural and Industrial Development Initiative
in Asaba, 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 populations of the region.
Her words: ‘‘This is why we have come into Delta State with not only investors, but financing 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. Through these organisations, bankable projects would attract loans and sponsorship, which will in turn
trickle down as measurable benefits to our people; especially, the youth whose restiveness will be curbed, if not
wiped away completely’’, the NEPAD Nigeria CEO informed.
While calling for more support for the activities and programmes of the Presidential Economic Diversification
Initiative Team, Akobundu said it was high time Nigeria grew its own economy and create jobs through
encouraging the manufacturing sector instead of the current over-dependence on imported goods and
commodities.
Nkem Anyata-Lafia
NEPAD, Nigeria
September 30,2017.
