The Canadian Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Honourable Christian Paradis, represented by Sen Don Meredith, today (Sunday, July 27) announced Canadian support for a new project to help increase job opportunities and promote entrepreneurship among young people in Nigeria.
Senator Meredith made the announcement in an address to the inaugural national convention of the Akwa Cross Association of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the preservation of the cultures in the Nigerian states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
“The need for meaningful, sustainable employment, especially for youth, is a critical issue in Nigeria. Creating sustainable economic growth is the best way to break the cycle of poverty and create shared prosperity,” said Senator Meredith. “Canada is proud to help increase employment, support small entrepreneurs and secure livelihoods for young women and men in areas such as agriculture and forestry.”
Canada’s support will help stimulate private-sector-led growth in Nigeria’s Cross River State by creating the conditions to responsibly manage its forestry, agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The efforts will focus on providing skills and entrepreneurship training for young people so they are better equipped to secure jobs, start and grow businesses in the country’s resource-based economy.
This announcement builds on Canada’s work with Nigerian organizations and government bodies to improve how the country manages its natural resources.
“Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper, is recognized as a global champion for improving maternal, newborn and child health. The work we are doing with our partners is saving the lives of women and children in Nigeria, and across the developing world,” said Minister Paradis. “We need to provide people with not just the ability to survive, but the tools they need to thrive. The need for meaningful, sustainable employment, especially for youth, is a critical issue, and Canada is proud to help increase employment, support small entrepreneurs and secure livelihoods for youth.”
Nigeria is one of Canada’s 10 Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) countries of focus. Canada is also committed to promoting sustainable economic growth in the country.
Canada’s Global Markets Action Plan identifies Nigeria as a priority market and on May 6, 2014, Canada and Nigeria signed the Canada-Nigeria Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).
