President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed appreciation to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) for the development of the country.
The President particularly acknowledged that the bank has funded several people-oriented projects in Osun, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano and Ebonyi states, which showed its “soft spot and robust support” for Nigeria.
The President, who received in audience on Monday, the President of the IDB Group, Dr. Ali Madani, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also appreciated the bank’s support for several developmental projects across Nigeria.
Buhari said that his government will deepen its partnership with the IDB to fund critical projects in health, water and the infrastructure sector.
‘‘We can’t 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 recognized,’’ the President said.
President Buhari also expressed appreciation to the IDB Group and other countries for extending their assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East even as he assured the IDB chief that Nigeria, a major financier of the bank, will meet all its obligations to the development institution within the shortest time possible.
He highlighted efforts of the current administration at diversifying the economy with emphasis on agriculture and expressed strong optimism that Nigeria will achieve self-sufficiency in rice and sugar; and export both commodities in the next three years.
In his remarks, Dr. Madani congratulated President Buhari on the positive outcomes of the war against corruption and terrorism, adding that the bank is ready to mobilize resources from Arab fund for developmental initiatives of the Nigerian government and the private sector, particularly on agriculture. [myad]
