By Grace Chigbu
ABUJA – In a positive turn of events for Nigeria’s ongoing battle against poverty, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed its commitment to assist the Nigerian government in addressing humanitarian and poverty-related challenges.
The endorsement comes on the back of consistent efforts made by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to address the multi-faceted issue of poverty in the West African nation. UAE’s intention to collaborate was communicated by the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, during a meeting at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.
This development was made public via a statement from Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister. Zubair’s statement highlighted the ambassador’s praise for the symbiotic relationship between the two nations. Al Shamsi emphasized, “Nigeria remains a strong ally of UAE and we would continue to partner with Nigeria in key areas like humanitarian aid, job creation, Nutrition, health care development and poverty alleviation.”
Dr Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, reciprocated the sentiment, lauding the UAE for their strategic and timely interventions in pivotal sectors within Nigeria. Expressing gratitude to the Ambassador and his team, she spotlighted the President’s ambitious 8-point agenda dedicated to poverty eradication and mentioned that the nation has already embarked on its full-fledged implementation.
Furthermore, the collaboration isn’t limited to governmental entities. The CEO of the Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr Manal Taryam, shared insights on their ongoing humanitarian projects. The foundation, renowned for its health-centric missions, has initiated an eye treatment program, starting with Katsina State. Plans to extend the initiative to Lagos and Abuja are also in the pipeline.
Taryam elaborated on the foundation’s areas of interest that align seamlessly with the ministry’s mandate, expressing eagerness to contribute. “The Dubai foundation covers various areas directly linked to the ministry’s objectives, and we are keen on extending our support,” Taryam stated.
The gathering was attended by prominent figures including Hon Moremi Ojodu, the SSA to the President on Community Engagement, South-West, and Hon Yetunde, the SSA on school feeding. Their presence underscored the importance of the UAE’s commitment and the broader global initiatives backing Nigeria’s strategy.
As global powers like the UAE come forward to join hands with Nigeria, the collective vision of a poverty-free nation seems more tangible. President Tinubu’s vision, complemented by these international collaborations, could pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for Nigeria.
While the road ahead may be long and filled with challenges, partnerships like these provide the momentum and resources necessary to combat multi-dimensional poverty, ensuring a better life for millions of Nigerians.
