British international development minister, James Wharton, who made his first visit to Nigeria at the weekend, has pledged continuous support of his country to Nigeria, saying that as Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria’s success matters to the UK and to the African continent as a whole.
Wharton said that a stable, secure and prosperous Nigeria also means economic opportunities for British businesses and a safer, more secure UK, according to a statement released Monday by Joe Abuku, who is the press and public affairs officer at the British high commission in Abuja.
The minister also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kaduna State government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote stronger primary health services in poor, rural communities, including maternal and new born health care, immunization and HIV/AIDS.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies and, as such, Wharton also used his time in the country to promote British business as a key partner in helping Nigeria achieve its huge potential. He was also in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
In Abuja, Wharton discussed the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in the northeast of Nigeria, and observed the ways in which emergency aid is being distributed across the region to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable people.
To date, UK support via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has helped provide tens of thousands of people affected by Boko Haram’s insurgency with medical assistance and access to food and clean water.
While, reiterating that Nigeria’s success truly matters to the UK and to Africa as a whole, Wharton also lamented that it is a tragedy that the conflict in the northeast of the country has left millions of people in urgent need of shelter, protection, food and emergency health care.
“On this visit, I saw for myself some of the humanitarian aid from the British people going to those in such desperate need. This UK support is helping to improve security and stability,” he said.
The minister further stressed that his visit presented further evidence that the UK is an outward-looking, globally engaged nation, and that his trip was intended to deepen the broad range of support and assistance provided Nigeria, including in health, education and economic reform.
“As we move to seize the opportunities presented by leaving the European Union, we are all the more determined to work together on tackling big challenges facing the country, which is both in Nigeria and the UK’s interests,” Wharton assured.
