By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has expressed concern over the scourge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) noting that it has spent $8b to conbat them in Nigeria.
USAID Mission Director to Nigeria, Melissa Jones who made this known during a reception in her honour by Governor Umo Eno in Uyo yesterday described Akwa Ibom as an important partner to USAID’s work in Nigeria, particularly in addressing issues affecting women, children, and families.
Jones expressed her agency’s commitment to supporting the State government’s efforts in advancing primary healthcare, nutrition, and economic development pledged more purposeful collaborations in other key areas of development to sustain the partnership.
Eno assured the Mission Director of the state government’s readiness to sustain the existing ties with the US agency towards boosting more impactful economic development in the State.
Represented by his Deputy Governor, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor commended USAID for its efforts in promoting inclusive economic growth, nutrition, security, and accountable governance in Nigeria, stressing the need for continued partnership between the agency and the State government.
“We value all the contributions made by the agency. The State government is very grateful, and is ready to continue partnering with USAID to ensure that the work you are doing is well felt in the State,”
He made a case for more involvement of the State in the development of its work plan to ensure continued alignment between its projects and the ARISE Agenda.
“USAID should involve the State more in the development of its work plan. We want to be more involved, especially, when you are doing your work plan, so that it will tie to the ARISE Agenda. If we work together in the development of your work plan, it will make more impactful on the people”, he stressed.
While highlighting some of his administration’s achievements in agriculture, health, education, security and other sectors, the Governor noted that partnership would further boost economic development in the State and improve the lives of its citizens.
To boost food sufficiency, the Governor explained to the Mission Director that “we have declared the first and third Fridays of every month as work-free – farm days,” adding that “so far, our people have heeded the clarion call, and have returned to the farms and work is ongoing at great speed at the Ibom model farm, a farm that we envision to be an improved version of the Songhai farms in Port Novo, Benin Republic.”
