According to him, the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria remain top priority for protection and deserve lifting from the poverty cycle, noting that social safety nets would be further sustained, while access to education and opportunities would be expanded.
Speaking yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian, at the virtual
official presentation of the Country Review Report of Nigeria to the 31st
Africa Peer Review Forum of the African Union, President Buhari said his
government would also take advantage of Information, Communication and
Technology to ensure inclusiveness, access and create more opportunities.
He said: “Nigeria’s strategic focus, as we set out to
achieve the objectives of the African Union Agenda 2063, has been around the
following: Building a thriving and sustainable economy; Enhancing social
inclusion and alleviating poverty; enlarging agricultural output for food
security and sufficiency; attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum
products.
“Expanding transport and other infrastructural development,
business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation; access to quality
education, affordable healthcare and productivity, social cohesion and
security; and, building a system that fights corruption and improves
governance.
“Nigeria remains resolutely committed to achieving these set
goals despite the challenges that the report highlighted, including the COVID
19 pandemic.”
The President reiterated that Nigeria had remained a
committed and dedicated member of the African Peer Review family, after
acceding to the Mechanism in 2003.
“Today, the forum has presented its second peer review
report on Nigeria. This Second Peer Review of Nigeria came at a critical time
in the history of the country.
From the report just presented, there is no doubt that the
exercise was far-reaching, as it touched the various segments of Nigeria’s
political-economy and highlighted the progress recorded since the first peer
review.
“The report also highlighted some challenges and as a
country, we are prepared to review those challenges in the context of our
internal dynamics in Nigeria, ultimately with the determination of achieving
Agenda 2063 goals of the African Union,’’ he said.
According to him, Nigeria remains grateful to be at the
esteemed Forum of the Heads of State and Government, which provides a unique
opportunity to present the Country Review Reports of some countries, including
Nigeria’s.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to commend the
President of South Africa for his dedication to the Forum since his election as
the Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum.
“I also recognise the distinguished Panel of Eminent Persons
for their continued good work in steering the African Peer Review Mechanism
process in all member countries. I recognise specifically, Dr. Abdoulie Janneh
who led the Review Mission to Nigeria.”
President Buhari congratulated the other three countries
(Namibia, Niger and South Africa) that were reviewed alongside Nigeria,
commending the boldness and courage to present their countries for the
comprehensive exercise.
The Nigerian leader called on other member states to join
and present themselves for review as well.
“There are so many lessons that we can all learn together.
It is from learning these lessons and recommitting ourselves as a continent
that we all can contribute to our collective efforts to achieve the objectives
of the “Africa We Want”, he further said.