Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmad has described good governance and security as key drivers to sustainable development of the country.
Ahmad stated this during the 19th Convocation Lecture of 68 regular course cadet and postgraduate students of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), on Thursday in Kaduna.
The theme of the lecture was ‘The Governance, Security and Development Nexus in Nigeria – Innovative Financing as an Essential Enabler’.
According to her, the present administration is committed to good governance and ensuring security to propel national development.
She said that the government would ensure a safe and secure environment where all Nigerians can pursue their livelihoods.
“At the core of the programmes and projects under implementation by this administration is the attainment of sustainable development.
“By sustainable development, I mean development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, a definition adopted by the United Nations .
“It means development that is not only sustainable but is inclusive with the wellbeing of our citizens at its core.”
The minister said the most recent GDP data which reported real GDP growth of 5.01% in the second quarter of 2021, was very encouraging, as it indicated that Nigerian economy is on a solid path to recovery.
She noted that much of the growth was driven by the expansion of the non-oil sector of the economy where most Nigerians were employed.
Ahmad however said that successful implementation of Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda “required that we mobilize domestic and innovative financing”.
She explained that this requires collaboration at the national and regional levels between governments, the private sector and international financial institutions.
“A resilient and thriving Nigeria requires that we work collaboratively across the Federal and State Governments, and hand in hand with citizens, CSOs and the private sector.
“We will continue working to accelerate revenue generation and mobilize the necessary domestic resources to fund our budgets and support the development of targeted social intervention programmes, where necessary,” she added.
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Ahmad said with this approach, international aid and financing would be used to boost domestic funds, rather than replace them.
“This is especially true in critical human development areas such as health and education, where funding constraints remain a challenge.
“Through innovative financing, meaningful private sector engagement, strategic deployment of development funds and the strategic use of tools, Nigeria and the entire African region will be better positioned to grow back better, sustainable and more inclusive,” Ahmad said.
Also in his remarks, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said NDA as a premier military institution embodies the unity, integrity and pride of the nation.
The governor was represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
El-Rufai said the federal government is making maximal efforts to ensure the stability of the entire country, “as is obvious from the various layers of kinetic and non -kinetic measures being put in place”.
“As Nigerians, we must contribute our individual and collective quotas towards supporting the federal government for national security development.
“As the Governor of your host state, l assure you that our doors are always open to Nigerian Defence Academy for collaboration,” he said.
Earlier, the NDA Commandant, Maj.-Gen Ibrahim Yusuf, explained that the academy is focused on professionalism, academic excellence and character development in line with global best practice.
He noted that global and local security challenges including the recent incursion into the academy were real and a reminder to step up efforts to secure the nation, as currently being done.
