Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja , Nigeria
Turkey and Nigeria are set to strengthen their ties through a collaborative effort aimed at social protection, disaster response, and poverty eradication.
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, announced this alliance during a meeting with Dr Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.
Ambassador Bayraktar, acknowledging Nigeria as a rising star in Africa, outlined plans for two pivotal agreements to be signed early next year. These agreements will focus on development cooperation and humanitarian disaster response, fostering collaboration between Turkey’s disaster management authority and Nigeria’s NEMA.
In a statement made available to Truth Live News, The Turkish Ambassador highlighted the potential impact, stating, “This will tremendously help, especially in the areas of floods or natural disasters.” He emphasized sustainable development projects as part of the development cooperation, aiming to assist Nigeria in effective humanitarian and emergency response management.
Expressing gratitude for this promising partnership, Minister Edu lauded the discussions on Turkish Development Cooperation. She outlined its role in supporting social protection, education, health, and other critical areas.
The minister revealed plans to finalize the agreements in January, anticipating tangible outcomes in the establishment of a Turkish Development Cooperation office in Nigeria.
The Turkish government’s commitment to opening an office aligns with its goal of direct outreach to different states through Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Minister Edu expressed optimism about the swift implementation of these agreements, foreseeing positive impacts on humanitarian crisis management, emergency responses, and poverty alleviation.
“This will help us tackle humanitarian crises and grapple with emergency responses, addressing poverty through various development cooperation initiatives,” shared Minister Edu.
The disclosure of the Turkish government’s intent to establish an office in Nigeria underlines their commitment to efficient coordination and direct engagement with the states.
Accompanying the Turkish Ambassador was Imdat Karakoram, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Republic of Turkey. This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to addressing pressing issues and fostering development between the two nations.
As the agreements are poised to be signed in January, the partnership holds the promise of making a substantial impact on social protection, disaster management, and poverty eradication in Nigeria.
The establishment of the Turkish Development Cooperation office marks a crucial step toward efficient coordination and implementation of these initiatives, heralding a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between Turkey and Nigeria.