African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states are looking to set up an endowment fund for the grouping.
Nigeria’s vice president Yemi Osinbajo says the fund will set the group’s members on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“Setting up of an endowment fund like the one proposed will, in a way, guarantee an independent ACP because if our development partners continue to give us the kind of support that they are giving now, they will definitely want to determine our course of development in the future,” Osinbajo said.
He spoke on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he received a deleation from the ACP comprising its Chairman, Ambassador Amadou Diop, Secretary General, Dr Patrick Gomes and other dignitaries.
“Nigeria remains firmly in support of the ACP because we have benefited so much from the organization. But I also want to emphasize the need for us to stay together,” he noted.
“The ACP has the potential to achieve a lot, especially in the focal areas of climate change, security and economic emancipation.’’
Prof. Osinbajo, however, emphasized the need for the group to review existing international regulations as it strives to address challenges of terrorism and armed conflict within ACP member-nations.
In separate remarks, both Dr. Gomes and Diop commended the role played by Nigeria in advancing the cause of ACP both on the African continent and the global stage.
They solicited Nigeria’s support in the actualization of ACP objectives, especially in the establishment of the ACP endowment fund.
“The key of Africa and the region is Nigeria hence the respect accorded the country by the ACP,’’ Gomes said.
