6000 Tons In Food Aid Was Given To Nigeria

Nearly 6000 tons in food aid was given to Nigeria, one of the African countries struggling with famine, through cooperation between the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Directorate, the Ministry of the Economy, the Union of Central Anatolian Exporters and the Turkish Red Crescent. Also a protocol was signed between the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency Directorate authorities and the Nigerian Government for the construction of a 1260 student capacity education complex.

TİKA, the Ministry of the Economy, the Union of Central Anatolian Exporters and the Turkish Red Crescent provided food aid to Nigeria pursuant to the instructions of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his visit to Nigeria. Within the scope of the aid project Nigerians struggling with famine due to drought were provided with 2 thousand 750 tons of sugar and 2 thousand 922 tons of flour for a total of 5 thousand 672 tons in food aid to be handed over to the Nigerian authorities in a ceremony that was organized for the occasion.

The ceremony was attended by TİKA Assistant Chairman Harun Tuncer, the Union of Central Anatolian Exporters Board of Directors Chairman Turgay Ünlü, Turkish Red Crescent General Director Consultant Saadettin Çay, Nigerian authorities and a large number of citizens.

TİKA Assistant Chairman Harun Tuncer, who made a statement before the ceremony, said that this was one of the largest humanitarian aid efforts in the history of Nigeria to be provided at one time and thanked everyone who contributed. TİKA Assistant Chairman Harun Tuncer also pointed out that TİKA’s Nigeria office just recently began operating and added “Through this office The Republic of Turkey will provide assistance to Nigeria in all necessary fields that are necessary for the country’s development starting with education, health, water and sanitation by care of TİKA. Not only humanitarian aid but long term projects for Nigeria’s development will be created and we will hopefully contribute to the development, improvement and welfare of Nigeria”.

Nigerian President Brigi Rafini, who accepted the Turkish delegation following the ceremony, said that the Turkish-Nigerian relations go very far back in history and this was only the beginning of the visits and projects that the bilateral relations would develop even more over time which was very pleasing to all concerned. Nigerian President Brigi Rafini said that he felt very much at home during his visit to Turkey and would like Turks visiting Nigeria to feel the same.

Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Alma Oumarou, who accepted the Turkish group after the president pointed out that he was one of the founders of the Turkish-Nigerian businessmen’s association and had previously done business with several different Turkish companies. Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Alma Oumarou added that he had the opportunity to visit Turkey and found the Turkish businessmen to be very warm and sincere.

Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Alma Oumarou, who said that he had been instructed by the President to improve the business and trade conditions in the country, emphasized how their approach of making things easier for all foreign investors in Nigeria is profitable all around. Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Alma Oumarou also explained that in addition to the aid, developing business between the two countries is also important in terms of fulfilling the country’s food needs. Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Oumarou pointed out that Nigerian women entrepreneurs and young people must also be supported and expressed that they would be pleased to receive Turkey’s support on this subject. Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Oumarou thanked TİKA for its support of Nigeria.

After meeting with Nigerian Private Sector Incentive and Trade Minister Alma Oumarou, a protocol for the construction of a 260 student capacity education complex was signed between the TİKA authorities and the Nigerian government. A dormitory and multi functional sports complex will be included in the complex which is planned to be completed in two years.