Canada pledges $18m aid to reduce poverty.

The Canadian government will support humanitarian aid and poverty alleviation in Nigeria with $18 million.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, made this known when he visited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, in her office in Abuja.

Mr Christoff said Canada has already committed to spending a total of $152 million to support various programmes in Nigeria.

According to him, part of the money is the $18 million earmarked for humanitarian response.

”The main portion of the funds will be spent on programs focusing on vulnerable women and young girls across the country.

The Canadian envoy lauded the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

“I am here with my team to register our support for the mandate of the President in his efforts to alleviate poverty and reduce humanitarian crises in Nigeria through your ministry,” he said.

In her response, Ms Edu commended the Canadian high commissioner for taking the time to visit her as well as supporting the ministry’s efforts in humanitarian response.

Ms Edu expressed delight that the Canadian government has confidence in the Bola Tinubu administration’s ability to drive Nigeria’s poverty alleviation and humanitarian response.

She assured the ambassador of the Federal Government’s desire to deepen the mutual working relationship with the Canadian government.

According to her, the Tinubu administration is determined to tackle Nigeria’s multi-dimensional poverty and humanitarian crises in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

She assured the Canadian Envoy that the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund would be used to address humanitarian emergencies.

She said there would be transparency in the application of the fund.

Ms Edu therefore urged all stakeholders to re-evaluate their contributions to Nigeria and work towards providing durable solutions to ‘our country’s’ needs.

She advocated for a change in the approach of partners to enable the people who need help the most to truly get it with less duplication and waste.

(NAN)

Credit People gazette