The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, says strengthening Partnership with the European Union is more important now that Nigeria has signed the Samoa Agreement.
It was an evening to receive the Director General of the Department of International Partnership at the European Union who is in Nigeria to participate in the 9th EU-Nigeria Business forum
Also present was the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning who reiterated the importance of expanding relations with the EU as he announced that Nigeria recently signed the Samoa Agreement.
The Agreement, as contained also in a statement from the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States, was signed in Brussels on the 28th of June, it is aimed at strengthening abilities to implement sustainable development policies, capacity building among other benefits
The Samoa Agreement seeks to promote sustainable development, generate investment opportunities, fight Climate Change while strengthening the partnership between EU and the Organization of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States
It met with some challenges in Nigeria as some civil society organisations earlier raised concerns over Article 9 stating that the pact is a subtle way of introducing LGBTQ+ to Nigeria.
But according to an official of the OACP in a message sent to TVC NEWS, the Article is only highlighting the importance of Human Rights.
In his response he says ‘The Spirit of the Agreement is that on Fundamental issues related to cultural values, local legislation and practices will ultimately prevail’
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning therefore encouraged Nigerians to focus on the benefit of the Agreement and profitable partnership with the EU.
