The European Union (EU) has described Nigeria as a rich country with poor citizens, urging the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to galvanize the country’s massive population into a formidable productive force that would generate wealth, which can be equitably distributed among the citizens.
Speaking at the occasion of the Europe Day on Friday night in Abuja, the Head of Delegation of the EU to Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arrion, said the Buhari-led government would have a lot of work to do in this regard.
According to him, democracy only makes meaning to the common man to the extent that it delivers good governance, creates opportunities and improves the quality of living.
Checks showed that Nigeria currently has an estimated population of 167 million with a Gross Domestic Product/Income per Capita last recorded at $1, 097.97 in 2013. The GDP per Capita in the country is equivalent to nine per cent of the world’s average.
On the other hand, South Africa has a recorded population of about 54 million, while its Gross Domestic Product/ Income per Capita was last recorded at $5,916.46 in 2013. Moreover, the GDP per Capita in South Africa is equivalent to 47 per cent of the world’s average.
Arrion, therefore, charged that “as the new government comes on stream, the world would want to see a Nigeria where the basic freedoms that distinguish democratic societies, including economic rights and welfare, are not the exclusive preserve of a privileged few.”
He said: “Nigeria is rich, but Nigerians are poor. The in-coming administration will have a lot to do in this regard, in ensuring that Nigeria’s massive population is galvanised into a formidable productive force that will generate wealth that is equally – or rather equitably – shared among all citizens.”
The envoy, who noted that Buhari’s goals for Nigeria matched closely the EU’s vision for the country, also advised the President-elect to include regional integration in his agenda.
“President-elect Buhari has promised before and after his election to pursue three priority objectives: to swiftly end the insurgency in the northeast and restore peace and stability; to eradicate corruption and to put policies in place and to put Nigeria’s economy on a surer footing. We strongly believe that peace and stability, as well as the economic development of Nigeria, will be better achieved within the framework of a closer and deeper co-operation of Nigeria with its neighbours in West and Central Africa,” Arrion said.
The head of the delegation, who said that the essence of the Europe Day was to commemorate past achievements, and to look ahead at how the future can be shaped, explained that its essence was also to promote peace, human rights and prosperity at home and in the world.
He assured Nigeria of the EU’s continued strong relation of mutual trust and partnership.
- Newswatch Times.
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