By Adedapo Adesanya
President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration has commenced the distribution of palliatives worth N10.9 billion to households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
The President made this known while delivering a speech virtually on the opening day of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday.
According to the Nigerian leader, the disbursement of the sum is part of efforts to reduce the suffering of Nigerians imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In order to mitigate its impact on Nigerians, our administration has commenced the disbursement of the sum of N10.9 billion to households and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as palliatives,” he said.
Mr Buhari restated Nigeria’s commitment to working with other member states to promote the wellbeing of citizens.
“I should also state that Nigeria is committed to working with the other member states in the spirit of global cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general well-being.
“Nigeria will continue to partner with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and some countries to ensure accelerated development and manufacturing, as well as the uninhibited supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines to all,” he said.
In addition, President Buhari noted that the government has established a N500 billion fiscal stimulus package and sustained delivery of humanitarian and social interventions to poor and vulnerable households, while the Central Bank of Nigeria has launched a N3.5 trillion-stimulus package to boost manufacturing and facilitate import substitution.
Speaking on this year’s General Assembly theme The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need: Reaffirming Our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism- Confronting Coronavirus Through Effective Multilateral Action, the President noted that his administration has started implementation to enable sustainable growth and development.
“Our administration has embarked on measures to ensure enhanced national resilience. We intend to achieve this through the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan and the Medium-Term National Development Plans for the period 2020-2025 and 2026-2030. We expect that these ambitious initiatives will deliver sustainable economic growth and development to Nigeria,” he informed participants.
He also spoke about other issues from climate change, migration, terrorism, poverty eradication, illicit financial flows, human rights, quality education, gender parity, and noted that Nigeria supports the expansion of the UN Security Council to reflect the diversity and dynamics of the 21st Century, hammering that Africa deserves permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.
Modupe Gbadeyanka