United Nations’ Assistant Secretary-General, Ahunna Eziakonwa, has applauded the Nigerian government and National Assembly for voting $200 million for healthcare.
The commendation followed the withdrawal of funding assistance by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Speaking at a meeting in Lagos with a delegation of the House of Representatives led by deputy speaker Benjamin Kalu, Eziakonwa, who is also the African regional director for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said Nigeria’s action had set a precedence on the continent.
Eziakonwa said by filling the funding gap, Nigeria had demonstrated leadership by looking inwards to improve the lives of its people rather than relying solely on foreign donors.
She said: “When in New York, I got the news that when USAID withdrew funding from Nigeria, where it is funding a lot in the health sector, the Assembly sat down and voted $200 million to fill the gap. I felt proud as a Nigerian, because that’s what makes of governance. You can’t outsource the health of the population, that’s going to secure the future.
“So, while other countries were in panic, the New York Times was carrying headlines of people dying because of the withdrawal and Nigeria was saying, we got this. I felt that’s leadership. I say to the National Assembly, kudos. That’s Nigeria leading by example because every country in Africa should follow suit and say our people’s lives matter. This is a priority for us. It’s our responsibility to not let our people die.”
Eziakonwa affirmed the support of the UNDP to the deputy speaker’s request for a strategic partnership, particularly on ongoing constitutional reforms; gender bills, seat reservation, and political inclusion.
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