Nigeria Has Focused On The Poor, Buhari Tells UNGA

The Nigerian government says it has concentrated effort on insulating the poor and vulnerable population from the adverse impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

President Muhammadu Buhari also stated his administration’s commitment to partner with the World Health Organisation, (WHO) and other countries to ensure the speedy development, manufacturing and supply of safe and effective Coronavirus vaccines across the globe.

Buhari stated this while speaking virtually on the first day of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Debate on Wednesday.

Buhari said the Coronavirus pandemic has devastated the world economy and strained the capabilities of the health system of many countries, including Nigeria.

“I should also state that Nigeria is committed to working with other Member States in the spirit of global cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general well-being…

“…Nigeria will continue to partner with the WHO and some countries to ensure accelerated development and manufacturing, as well as uninhibited supply of safe and effective Coronavirus vaccines to all, ” Buhari said

The president noted that with the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak, Nigeria prioritized vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and the unemployed, in an efforts to provide medical and social assistance to cushion the socio-economic effects of the disease.

“Accordingly, we have expanded our National Social Register, to include an additional 1 million Nigerians. Our National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has been the vehicle for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable members of the Nigerian population, as well as providing cover for over 22 million households.”

The president expressed his appreciation for the $2 Billion United States Dollars Global Humanitarian Response Plan launched by the UN Secretary-General to fund the Coronavirus response in the poorest countries of the world.

“I also commend his call for cease-fire in conflict areas, to enable humanitarian assistance reach groups vulnerable to Coronavirus,” Buhari said.

He enjoined global leaders to support the Alliance at this time when the COVID-19 pandemic is reversing gains made in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and is pushing an additional half a billion people into extreme poverty.

“I use this opportunity to commend the efforts of the United Nations and the World Health Organization in combating the Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.