RESOURCES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

At the Launching of the Human Development Fund

Abuja, 17 December, 2001

I am pleased to welcome you to this occasion of the Launching of the Human Development Fund. I particularly welcome the presence of the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Resident Coordinator.

You are all aware that the Human Development Fund (HDF) in Nigeria is the brainchild of the UNDP, the lead agency for poverty eradication in the United Nations system. We are pleased to note that the UNDP has taken a leading role in the coalition of development partners that have joined us in the war against poverty in Nigeria.

The main objective of the Fund is to serve as an additional mechanism for mobilising and delivering resources needed to fight poverty. On my part, let me declare that no stone will be left unturned in government's effort to generate the resources and attention needed for raising the quality of life among economically disadvantaged Nigerians. Our Administration attaches all seriousness and sense of purpose to the effort of defeating poverty in Nigeria.

I understand that this Human Development Fund will look for resources from the three tiers of government, the organized private sector, relatively well-off Nigerians, at home and abroad, and indeed the entire international community. As you may know, we are also embarking on a similar approach in many of our poverty related programs.

This UNDP facility in Nigeria is intended to complement many of our programs. I support it. As a people, we have to be prepared to help ourselves up if we are to optimise and sustain the benefits of the assistance that others are providing to us. We Nigerians must lead the way when it comes to developing our country and our people. In regard to this, we have been vigorous in broadening the range and depth of our infrastructure base, by providing improvements in telecommunication, building more roads and making available more social services.

Indeed, we are striving to ensure that everybody in this country has access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and healthcare. We also aim to create wealth and jobs so that we can have a society where everyone can aspire to achieve economic security. I have been assured that the Human Development Fund will support literacy programs and other capacity building schemes, thus helping to generate additional employment for our youths.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the current rate of poverty in our country is simply unacceptable. Without significant reductions in the rate and state of poverty we will not be able to raise the level of life expectancy among our citizens. We cannot allow poor and uneven social conditions to persist, because the resulting inequities of such a situation create disillusionment and even conflict, which can undermine efforts aimed at economic growth and development.

Poverty, we all know, is the result of a condition of limited choices and opportunities. This is why we have a strong commitment to the promotion of programmes that aim to expand the range of opportunities for our people. We are determined to make the ordinary Nigerian the center of our development efforts, by ensuring access to affordable food, education and healthcare. With over 70 percent of the population in rural agricultural communities, the revitalization of agriculture and the promotion of agro-business have to become imperative.

With improvements in literacy and education, basic healthcare and job creation, and with the private and public sectors working together with our development partners, Nigeria should, within a reasonable period, produce a picture of human development that truly reflects the country's potentials.

Let us leverage all available resources and opportunity to hasten the transformation of the nation into a new society that is free of extreme poverty. Let us dedicate ourselves to policies that enhance an efficient and equitable distribution of the wealth of this nation.

In this regard, I would like to invite everyone to be a part of this coalition against poverty. I urge you to make generous pledges to the Human Development Fund. By working together, we can touch the lives of our people and help build a more rewarding society.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to launch the Human Development Fund.

I thank you. And May God bless you all.