Photos:We will get out of our problems- Pres Buhari assures African Development Bank

President Buhari today said Nigeria has the
people and the resources to surmount her
economic problems. Receiving President of the
African Development Bank (ADB), Dr Akinwunmi
Adesina, at State House, Abuja, on Monday,
President Buhari said:
"God has given us people and resources.
It will take hard work on our part, but we
will make it. We will get out of our
problems. We are determined to produce
what we eat, and stop importation. We
will also chase those who stole, and get
them to refund."
He said the country appreciates helping hands
being lent by the ADB, assuring Nigerian-born
Adesina, who was the immediate past Minister
of Agriculture, that "we will not let you down.
Your country won't disappoint you."
Adesina appreciated President Buhari for the
support the country gave when he ran for ADB
presidency, thus making him the first Nigerian to
occupy such position since the bank was
established in 1964. He also lauded the Nigerian
President for successes recorded in securing the
country, particularly in the North East, noting
that "there can be no development without
adequate security."
The ADB boss described recent economic
decisions taken in the country as "bold, tough,
uncomfortable, but right," adding that Nigeria
would reap the dividends in the short and long
run.
"You can count on the ADB as a true friend of
Nigeria. You should support massive investment
in infrastructure, and we are here to also
support. Closing the infrastructure deficit will
enable growth, and create employment. Nigeria
is too big to fail," Adesina said.
The ADB President unfolded the packages his
institution has for Nigeria, which include; $1
billion of budget support, $300 million to create
jobs for 185,000 youths, $250 million towards
North East infrastructure development, $1 million
grant to deal with challenges of Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs), $300 million for
infrastructure development around Abuja, $200
million for Transmission Company of Nigeria
(TCN) to deepen facilities, among others.
Dr Adesina expressed delight with what he called
"President Buhari's push on anti-corruption, and
stance on governance," adding that building
institutions was critical. To that end, he said
ADB would give a total of $4.8 million as grant
for institutional support, with the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) getting $2
million, and $1million to Independent Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission (ICPC). "You can always count on
my support, and that of the ADB," he concluded.