Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday said Nigeria would partner with the Islamic Development Bank to address factors militating against the economic growth of the country.

A statement issued by the Vice President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Sani Umar, said Sambo stated this when a delegation from the IDB led by its Vice Chairman, Mr Birama Boubacar Sidibe, visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The statement quoted Sambos as saying that Nigeria would continue to seek the support and assistance of the IDB in the achievement of the administration’s transformation agenda.

“This will enable the government to transform the socio-economic status of Nigeria, making her a viable country and facilitate the creation of wealth and jobs for our teeming youths.”

The vice president expressed delight over the approval for the commencement of operations of the Islamic Development Bank in Nigeria.

“With the presence of the bank in Nigeria, we will have the desired international Triple “A” financial institution in our country.”

Sambo seized the opportunity to re-confirm Nigeria’s invitation for participation in the forthcoming International Financial Conference slated for Feb. 10.

According to the Vice President, conference is very important because the forum will be used to attract finances for the private sector in Nigeria.

The Vice President assured the team that Nigeria would continue to work and corporate with them.

Earlier, Sidibe had informed the vice president that the IDB team was in Nigeria to dialogue and conclude agreements for the commencement of the operation of the bank in Nigeria.

He stated that the bank had approved implementation and execution of some developmental projects which cut across the nation’s health, water and sanitation and education sectors.

“Of the nine staff to be recruited for the commencement of the IDB Nigerian office, seven are expected to be from Nigeria,” he said.

Culled from Punch NewsPaper