Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The United Nations’ Assistant Secretary General, Ahunna Eziakonwa, has commended Nigeria’s government and National Assembly for voting $200 million to fill the healthcare funding gap left by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Eziakonwa, also the African Regional Director for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), praised Nigeria’s leadership in looking inward to improve its people’s lives.
“When in New York, I got the news that when USAID withdrew funding from Nigeria… the Assembly sat down and voted 200 million dollars to fill the gap. I felt proud as a Nigerian, because that’s what makes good governance. You can’t outsource the health of the population, that’s going to secure the future.”
Eziakonwa said Nigeria’s action sets a precedent on the continent, demonstrating that the country’s leaders prioritize its people’s health and well-being.
“So, while other countries were in panic, 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.”, she noted.
She added that every country in Africa should follow Nigeria’s example and prioritize its people’s lives, saying “our people’s lives matter. This is a priority for us. It’s our responsibility to not let our people die”.
The UNDP has pledged support for Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional reforms, particularly in promoting gender equality and women’s participation in governance.
Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu emphasized the importance of equitable representation, stating “Nigeria’s democracy cannot achieve its full potential without deliberate efforts to ensure equitable participation by women, youth, and marginalized groups in governance.”
Eziakonwa highlighted the importance of gender equality in addressing global challenges, saying “the countries that will be able to survive this are those that take gender equality seriously. What we are facing, men alone cannot handle it. We need men and women in the room, bringing both perspectives to the table”.
The UNDP says it looks forward to collaborating with Nigeria on major initiatives, including the women reservation bill and showcasing the country’s successes globally.
Eziakonwa assured the National Assembly of the UNDP’s commitment to partnership, saying “we are fully aligned and I’m encouraged by what you’re already doing; these initiatives by you and the Speaker. And we are looking forward to some major announcements on the women reservation bill.”
