AFD commits €1.5bn to Nigeria’s development- Grangereau
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The French Development Agency (AFD) has committed nearly 1.5 billion Euros to developmental projects in Nigeria in its 10 years of activities in the country and has become a recognized partner in the country with activities in key sectors such as energy, water, rural roads and urban transport.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the AFD Country Director in Nigeria, Pascal Grangereau as the development agency prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Nigeria with the anchor of the celebration between 11th and 12th of October, 2018, being the release of a study on the Lake Chad region.
According to the statement, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary in Nigeria, the AFD is also organizing a series of events on 11th and 12th October 2018 in Abuja to raise awareness of AFD’s actions in the country and highlight their impact, adding that AFD supports about thirty projects in Nigeria.
“The first activity is a round table, which will be held on Thursday, October 11th in the afternoon at the AFD Country Office in Abuja. Objective: to cross the perspectives, to confront the points of view between Nigerian researchers, French academics, political representatives and members of the civil society. The participation of AFD officers in these talks will clarify what is done in terms of funding to improve the situation of populations and meet their needs,” the statement said.
The Institut français du Nigéria, Abuja will on the same date (October 11) host the opening of the exhibition “Lake Chad”. Images of photographer, Pascal Maitre, and drawings by geographer, Christian Seignobos, will be on display for the general public up until 19thOctober 2018, the Country Director said.
“We are keen to bring value to the study commissioned by AFD on Lake Chad and to consider more activities in the north-east of the country. The interest of the photo exhibition is to address the populations directly affected by the study. After having interviewed and consulted them, it is normal to return to them with the rendering in text, in discussion or in pictures, “Grangereau, explained.
Friday, October 12th will be dedicated to students, who are invited to a breakfast debate at the Institut français.”It makes sense to hear the students’ voices. This is to discuss with the upcoming generation on issues around the development of the Lake Chad region: security, socio-economic and environmental issues, the effects of which are felt at the international level, ” Grangereau said.
Innocent Odoh, Abuja