Nigeria: We'll Partner Islamic Development Bank On Health, Water, Others - Buhari

The Federal Government says it will deepen its
partnership with the Islamic Development Bank
(IDB) to fund critical projects in health, water
and the infrastructure sector. This is contained
in a statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu,
the President's Senior Special Assistant on
Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Monday.
Buhari stated this when he received, Dr Ali
Madani, the President of the IDB Group at the
State House, Abuja. The president commended
the bank for supporting several developmental
projects across the country.
He acknowledged that the bank had funded
several people-oriented projects in Osun,
Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano and Ebonyi
states, demonstrating its "soft spot and robust
support" for Nigeria. "We cannot thank you
enough for the height you have achieved for the
bank in 41 years.
"Now that you are about to retire, we thank you
for the quality leadership which the world has
recognised," the president said. Buhari also
expressed appreciation to the IDB Group and
other countries for extending their assistance to
Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East.
He assured the visiting IDB chief that Nigeria, a
major financier of the bank, would meet all its
obligations to the development institution within
the shortest time possible. Buhari highlighted
efforts of the current administration at
diversifying the economy with emphasis on
agriculture.
He expressed strong optimism that Nigeria
would achieve self-sufficiency in rice and sugar;
and export both commodities in the next three
years. In his remarks, Madani congratulated
Buhari on the positive outcomes of the war
against corruption and terrorism.
According to him, the bank is ready to mobilise
resources from Arab fund for developmental
initiatives of the Nigerian government and the
private sector, particularly on agriculture.