The Canadian Government has affirmed its commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by extending assistance to humanitarian and poverty alleviation efforts in Nigeria. The statement was made by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, during a visit to the office of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, in Abuja.
According to Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister, MHAPA Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Ambassador Christoff disclosed that the Canadian Government has pledged to contribute a total of One Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Dollars to various programs in Nigeria, with a specific allocation designated for humanitarian response. He emphasized that a portion of these funds will be dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable women and young girls across the country.
The Ambassador commended the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, recognizing it as a positive development that will enhance coordination with the Nigerian government. He expressed the Canadian government’s keen interest in this initiative, stating, “I am here with my team to demonstrate our support for the President’s mandate in his endeavors to alleviate poverty and reduce humanitarian crises in Nigeria through your ministry.”
In response, Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, expressed her appreciation for the High Commissioner’s visit and his supportive remarks regarding President Tinubu’s Initiative. She assured him of a collaborative working relationship and informed him of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determined commitment to effectively address multi-dimensional poverty and humanitarian crises in Nigeria by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Edu conveyed that the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund will be utilized to address urgent humanitarian needs and issues related to poverty alleviation in Nigeria, with a firm commitment to transparency in its application. She urged the visiting envoy and all other humanitarian responders to reassess their contributions to Nigeria and strive to provide sustainable solutions for the country. She advocated for a radical shift in partner implementation approaches to ensure that those in greatest need receive assistance with minimal duplication and waste.
