Ending corruption will provide money for Nigeria’s development — Indian minister

THE Indian Minister of External Affairs, Mohammed Akbar has said that tackling graft in Nigeria will make more money available for the country’s development.

While speaking on “India and Nigeria – Partners for progress in Africa and beyond in Lagos recently, Akbar described the partnership and progress between the two countries as dating back to British colonial era when the two countries were searching for independence.

Calling for gender emancipation, freedom of every citizen and equity, the Indian minister added that when these are achieved, the two nations will make immense progress, there will be radical revolution through economic policy, as well as make the poor feel they have a share in economic growth.

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Akbar, who noted that real progress is the transfer of economic growth to those who need it more, adding that Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, gives soft loans to every household to start their own businesses to ensure that by 2020, less than two percent of Indians will live below poverty level.

Commending the Nigerian Army for providing security and its war against insurgency, The Indian minister lauded the courage of the security agencies and their determination to protect the nation.

He said that there is so much the two countries can gain from partnership, which will also influence the United Nations (UN), adding that India and Nigeria should work together to make the vision a reality.

Urging citizens of the two nations to live in peace, respect one another, ensure cultural freedom, faiths and practice of religions, Akbar said that “With this, India and Nigeria can become a template for the whole world, as Nigeria has been able to survive because of her belief in pluralism.”

Speaking also, The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Bukar Bukarambe, who thanked Akbar for approaching the issue through the domestic dimension, said its usually being overlooked.

Bukarambe commended Akbar for the lecture, which redefined the relationship between Nigeria and India in a new horizon.

“What the Indian government did today was to show another dimension to the relationship by focusing on the domestic aspect such as gender equity, pluralism, ending fight against corruption, among others, which are all focus of this administration,” he said.