Buhari: Nigeria Will Strengthen Partnership With Islamic Bank

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja said the Federal Government would deepen its partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund critical projects in health, water and the infrastructure sector.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said the president spoke while receiving Dr. Ali Madani, the President of the IDB Group at the State House on Monday.

Buhari commended the bank for supporting several developmental projects across the country.

He acknowledged that the bank had funded several people-oriented projects in Osun, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kano and Ebonyi states, demonstrating its “soft spot and robust support’’ for Nigeria.

‘‘We can’t thank you enough for the height you have achieved for the bank in 41 years. Now that you are about to retire, we thank you for the quality leadership which the world has recognized,’’ the president said.

Buhari also expressed appreciation to the IDB Group and other countries for extending their assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East.

The president assured the visiting IDB chief that Nigeria, a major financier of the bank, would meet all its obligations to the development institution within the shortest time possible.

The president highlighted efforts of the current administration at diversifying the economy with emphasis on agriculture and expressed strong optimism that Nigeria will achieve self-sufficiency in rice and sugar; and export both commodities in the next three years.

In his remarks, Dr Madani congratulated Buhari on the positive outcomes of the war against corruption and terrorism.