Kalu Lauds Nigeria, UAE's Long-standing Diplomatic Ties

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has applauded the long existing friendship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Kalu, who gave the applause while delivering his goodwill message at a ceremony to mark the 52nd Union/National Day of UAE in Abuja on Monday, also said the relationship has transcended beyond mere diplomatic relations.

He said Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates share a long-standing friendship built on mutual respect and cooperation.

“Our partnership transcends mere diplomatic relations; it is a bond rooted in shared values, common aspirations, and a commitment to uplifting the lives of our people.

“The UAE has been a steadfast ally in our quest for economic development, investment opportunities, and cultural exchange,” Kalu said.

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Nigeria’s Sanitation Economy Poised To Hit $14.23bn By 2030 – Shettima By Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima Has Said That Nigeria’s Sanitation Economy Could Grow To As Much As $14.23 Billion By 2030, But Only A Fraction Of This Potential Is Currently Being Tapped. Shettima Stated This On Monday At The Opening Of The Maiden National Sanitation Conference, Themed “Accelerating Sanitation For All” In Abuja. Represented By The Special Assistant To The President On Humanitarian Affairs And Development Partners, Mrs Inna Binta Audu, The Vice President Regretted That Despite Notable Government Efforts, Millions Of Nigerians Still Lack Access To Safely Managed Sanitation Facilities, Adding That The Gap Continues To Fuel Diseases, Undermine Productivity, And Impose Heavy Economic Losses On The Country. “While The Demand For Sanitation Services Is Being Generated Through The Social And Behaviour Change Communications Approach Of The Campaign, We Also Recognise The Need To Strengthen The Supply Side Of The Value Chain And Maximise The Sanitation Economy And Menstrual Hygiene Marketplace Potentials In The Country, Estimated To Grow To $14.23 14.23billion By 2030. “This Is Broken Down To $9.9 9.9billion For The Toilet Economy, $2.5 2.5billion For The Circular Sanitation Economy, $25 Million For The Smart Sanitation Economy And $1.8 1.8billion For The Menstrual Hygiene Marketplace. However, Only A Few Of These Potentials Are Being Exploited, And There Is A Need To Identify Scalable Approaches For Their Realisation,” He Said. According To Him, A World Bank Assessment Once Estimated That Poor Sanitation Cost Nigeria N455 Billion Annually, Equivalent To $3 Billion In 2012. “Open Defecation Continues To Threaten Public Health, Contaminate Water Sources, And Damage Our National Image,” He Said. The Vice President Highlighted A Series Of Federal Government Initiatives Aimed At Reversing The Trend, Including The Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet Campaign, The Pewash Programme, The Surwash Programme, Schoolwash, Healthwash Interventions, And A Presidential Executive Order Backing Efforts To End Open Defecation. He Disclosed That 158 Local Government Areas (Lgas) Have Now Achieved Open Defecation–Free (Odf) Status, Alongside Two States, Jigawa And Katsina, Which Attained This Status Through A Partnership With Unicef. He Added That Thousands Of Communities Nationwide Have Also Achieved Odf Certification. Shettima Added That The National Outcome Routine Mapping (Washnorm) Survey Is Helping To Track Progress On Sanitation-Related Targets Under The Sustainable Development Goals (Sdg) 6.1 And 6.2. He Reaffirmed Nigeria’s Commitment To Achieving Sdg 6.2, Which Targets The Elimination Of Open Defecation And Ensuring Universal Access To Sanitation By 2030. He Stated That Sanitation Remains Central To National Priorities, Encompassing Health, Education, Agriculture, And Economic Growth. He Also Emphasised That President Bola Tinubu’s Administration Has Placed Wash At The Centre Of Its Development Agenda, Including The Establishment Of The Federal Ministry Of Water Resources And Sanitation. Earlier In His Welcome Remarks, The Minister Of Water Resources And Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Said The Conference Provides A Platform For Dialogue, Innovation, And Partnership To Accelerate Sanitation Progress. Describing Sanitation As “A Cornerstone Of Human Development And A Key Determinant Of National Prosperity,” Utsev Noted That The Ministry Convened The Conference In Collaboration With Partners To Consolidate Progress Under Major National Initiatives Such As The Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet Campaign, And To Advance Actions That Will Ensure Universal Access To Safely Managed Sanitation Services. He Said Participants Will Review Achievements Recorded Through National Wash Programmes And Discuss How To Scale Up Evidence-Based Solutions, Strengthen Coordination Across Government Levels, And Attract The Investments Needed To Meet The Country’s Sanitation Targets. “I Am Particularly Pleased That This Maiden Conference Brings Together Government Officials, Development Partners, Researchers, Civil Society Organisations, The Private Sector And Other Stakeholders,” Utsev Said, Noting That Such Multi-Sector Engagement Is Essential For Achieving Sdg 6 On Water And Sanitation By 2030. The Minister Expressed Deep Appreciation To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu For Providing The Policy Direction And Enabling Environment For Progress Within The Wash Sector, And To Vice President Kashim Shettima For His Leadership Of The Clean Nigeria Campaign And The National Steering Committee. He Urged All Participants To Seize The Opportunities Presented By The Conference As Nigeria Works Toward Eliminating Open Defecation, Expanding Access To Sanitation, And Safeguarding Public Health. In His Vote Of Thanks, The Permanent Secretary Of The Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, Praised The Vice President, The Minister, Development Partners, Including The World Bank, Unicef, Wateraid, And Others, For Their Support. He Called For The Momentum From The Conference To Translate Into Concrete Actions That Will Advance Sanitation Access Nationwide. Participants At The Conference Include Policymakers, Researchers, Csos, Development Partners, Private Sector Players, And Representatives From Across Nigeria And Abroad. The Two-Day Event Features Technical Sessions, An Exhibition Pavilion, And Discussions On Strengthening The Sanitation Value Chain.

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The Deputy Speaker, who expressed gratitude to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates, for their continuous support and friendship, also appreciated the collaborative efforts between the two nations in various sectors.

“We value the collaborative efforts between our nations in various sectors, including trade, education, healthcare, and security. We look forward to further strengthening our ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation that will benefit both our nations and contribute to regional stability,” he said.

While acknowledging UAE as an exemplary nation that is showcasing the power of vision, leadership, and unity for the world, Kalu added that the country’s ambitious goals, such as the UAE Vision 2023 and the Mars Mission, demonstrated its unwavering determination to excel in various spheres.

“As Dubai welcomes the world at COP 28 this December, we are confident that UAE will demonstrate its uncommon innovations and sustainability development for the world to tap into,” the Deputy Speaker stated.

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