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7-Point Agenda - India Gives Country $900m7-Point Agenda - India Gives Country $900m
This Day
Damilola Oyedele
17 October 2007
The Government of India has given Nigeria $900m as its contribution towards the attainment of President Umaru Yar'Adua's 7-point Agenda, while two information technology laboratories were donated to the Nigerian Armed Forces. This was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe at a press briefing on the outcome of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh where he added that the grant will be expended on Nigerians without any interference from the donor country.
Maduekwe added that the two countries have adopted the Abuja Declaration on Strategic Partnership as a reflection of the determination on both sides to establish stronger ties. The declaration covers key areas like defence, agriculture, power generation, civil aviation and trade. He further described the address of the joint session of the National Assembly by Singh as "an acknowledgement of the legislative arm as a major pillar of our democracy and a recognition of the crucial role of the legislature in strengthening our democracy since Nigeria's return to civil rule."
In another development, Maduekwe has urged protocol officers in government to rise up to the challenge of protocol services in the age of globalization. At a National workshop for Protocol Officers where he was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Amb. Chike Anigbo, he noted that the ministry has been the custodian of protocol practice having gained valuable experience in the past fifty years.
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