UNIDO partners Nigeria on inclusive, sustainable industrial development

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, is promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, ISID, in Nigeria to harness the full potential of industry’s contribution to the achievement of sustainable development and lasting prosperity for all. The Director-General of UNIDO, Mr. Yong Li, during his three-day maiden visit to Nigeria in Abuja, disclosed that the agency has committed $1.6million to the nation’s National Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, to support Nigeria. According to him, “The provision of the cash support base will help to complement the present administration’s efforts at repositioning the real sector as the key driver of economic growth through job creation and increased contribution to Gross Domestic Product”. While reeling out the Organisation’s core objectives, he said,” UNIDO is world organisation that solely concentrates on industrial development. We have a new mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development; we would promote sustainable industrial development which has been supported by all the international community member states of UNIDO, including Nigeria. “We are excited to launch 1.6 million dollars for a project to make impact in the industrial revolution plan in Nigeria. I have a very deep impression about the good relationship between Nigerian government and UNIDO for so many years. “Now, we are going to start a new page, a new page on industrial development and I need to commend your effort and success on new implementation of industrial policy and national industrial revolution plan as well as national enterprise industrial programme which will lead your country to a new road of prosperity. Li also officially opened the National Quality Infrastructure Project Office, NQIPO, situated at the Bank of Industry building in Abuja, noting that the project which was funded to the tune of EUR 12 million will be implemented with the assistance of UNIDO. He said the project will help to improve the quality of Nigerian products, while commending the federal government for supporting him during his election last year and for supporting UNIDO’s ‘Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development Programme. He said the document is a manifestation of member states’ support for and confidence in the agency, and highlights UNIDO’s critical expertise and experience in the field of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, and in forging new development partnerships. Lending his voice, UNIDO’s Country Representative, Dr Patrick Kormawa, expressed satisfaction at the establishment of National Quality Infrastructure Project Office, at a time Nigeria is promoting industrialisation as the basis of its economic development. In fact, there is not a single country in the world that has reached a high stage of economic and social development without having developed an advanced industrial sector. The world needs inclusive and sustainable industrial development to do its part in seizing the moment and contributing to the common good.” UNIDO, as the specialized agency of the United Nations system mandated to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development and international industrial cooperation, is well-placed to make a significant contribution to this process.”