Skip to main content

Japan, AfDB Pledge $5.5 bn Support To African Countries

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Government of Japan in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) have pledged to support African countries with $5.5 billion by utilising Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) private sector investment finance as a catalyst. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced the collaborative economic framework on Wednesday during the plenary session on Peace and Stability, at the 9th meeting of the Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Japan. 

Ishiba emphasised the importance of mutual understanding, local solutions, and collaborative efforts for Africa's development. 

While outlining Japan's focus on private sector-led sustainable growth, youth and women empowerment, and regional integration, he emphasised that locally rooted solutions are essential for Africa's development.

"Japan is providing various cooperation and support for Africa. But first of all, Japan needs to know more about Africa. So, in creating solutions together, this co-creation at the TICAD 9, we focus on three important areas: private sector-led sustainable growth, Youth and Women, and Regional integration and connectivity within and beyond Africa," he said. 

The Prime Minister appealed to African countries to assist Japan as it grapples with the challenges of a declining population and shrinking agricultural land.

He added: "In 75 years from now, the population of Japan would have been halved. In the local communities, the population continues to decline; this is one big challenge Japan is facing. All agricultural land is being reduced, another major challenge for Japan."
Ishiba underscored the positives of Africa's youthful population: "There is another potential in Africa; there is so much growing young population in Africa, but for the power of young people in Africa to flourish, you need to create a manufacturing industry and create employment, and that, I believe, is very important.

"In Africa, there is a primary industry, agriculture, forestry, and industries, and then it jumped over to the tertiary sectors and the services industries.

"There is a jump in economic growth that Japan and other Asian countries have experienced and they have tried to move from the primary, the Agriculture, fisheries, forestry to the secondary, that is a necessary process because the power of the youth could be realised fully in the manufacturing industry to improve the productivity of Africa's manufacturing sector," the PM said.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday in Abuja. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With EPHAN On Sustainable Environmental Solutions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R- Registrar/ CEO of EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba and President of EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin during a strategic engagement session on Friday in Abuja. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed a deal with Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN) on sustainable environmental solutions.  The partnership wlll also bolster  speedy implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental and public health.  News Rider reports that SDG 3 places emphasis on good health and well-being through the reduction of noncommunicable diseases, combatting waterborne diseases.; as well as lowers death and illness from exposure to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.  This is even as SDG 6 guarantees clean water and sanitation through universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.  Addressing the media du...
Post a Comment
Read more