By Igho Akeregha, Abuja Bureau Chief
The United States Government says it will be celebrating the signing of a whopping $2.17 billion Development Objective Assistance Agreement with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
This was disclosed yesterday as the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken arrived in Nigeria as part of his three-nation visit to Africa.
A statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria said the fund is aimed at playing a role in supporting a healthier, more educated, prosperous, stable, and resilient Nigeria.
Earlier on March 1, 2021, ahead of his visit, Secretary Blinken was reported to have said, “We look forward to rejuvenating our partnership based on our shared values of democracy, respect for human rights, and robust people-to-people relations.”
He will be visiting Nigeria from November 18-19, where he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and representatives from civil society organisations to discuss furthering cooperation on global health security, expanding energy access and economic growth, and revitalizing democracy.
The Secretary will also deliver a speech on U.S.-Africa policy in Abuja while celebrating US Nigeria relations.
The statement disclosed key highlights of Blinken’s activities while in Nigeria to include: the US, Nigeria relations; pandemic response and health; trade, investment and climate; people-to-people relations; democracy and human rights; and striving for peace and security.
The statement read in part, “Home to Africa’s largest population, democracy, and economy, Nigeria is one of our most important partners on the continent. Nigeria’s stability and prosperity are inseparable from that of the region.
“The year 2020 was historic, as Nigerians reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing the country while marking the 60th anniversary of their independence and the beginning of bilateral relations with the United States.
“The United States and Nigeria have collaborated closely to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 60 interagency members from the U.S. Mission worked side-by-side with Nigerian counterparts, including on the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force, to plan and respond to the pandemic.
“In partnership with COVAX or bilaterally, the United States has provided more than seven and a half million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria and provided more than $119 million in COVID-19-related health and humanitarian assistance.
“Ongoing U.S. health programmes reach more than 66 million Nigerians with lifesaving services, including by training public health workers and improving access to quality medicines, vaccines, medical facilities, and reproductive health materials.
“Nigeria is our second-largest trading partner in Africa with two-way trade between our nations totalling over $10 billion in 2019. The United States is proud to be one of the largest foreign investors in Nigeria with foreign direct investment totalling $5.5 billion in 2019.
“Support for economic growth includes funding $8.5 million in feasibility studies and technical assistance in 2020-2021, extending loan guarantees worth up to $80 million, and coordinating development finance in important sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and information and communication technology.
“These activities support bilateral trade and investment ties while building more modern and sustainable infrastructure across Nigeria.
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“Northeast Nigeria is the location of one of the world’s most challenging and complex humanitarian crises, due to a variety of factors including difficult security conditions and high levels of food insecurity.
“The United States is the largest humanitarian donor in response to the crisis, providing more than $2.1 billion since 2015 and supporting two million conflict-affected households. With more than $364 million in funding in 2021, the United States continues to support life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and food-insecure households.”
