The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has urged the Federal Government to integrate the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 into Nigeria’s development strategy.
Kalu made the plea in a communique he issued in Abuja on Monday, September 30, 2024, after leading Nigeria’s delegation to the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments in Midrand, South Africa.
He said that by integrating the agenda, Nigeria would set a precedence for other African countries to emulate, adding that Nigeria’s development aspiration had a nexus with Africa’s growth initiatives.
The AU Agenda 2063 is an ambitious framework aimed at transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future.
It envisions an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
The agenda comprises seven aspirations, each focused on key areas, such as economic growth, social inclusion, sustainable development and good governance.
The deputy speaker identified the broad themes of development efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s government which, according to him, are in tandem with the goals of AU Agenda 2063.
“These include youth empowerment, economic diversification and good governance,” Mr Kalu said.
He stressed that as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria held a unique position on the continent.
Kalu said this was even though Nigeria had faced multifaceted challenges, including economic volatility, infrastructural deficits, and social inequalities.
He said Nigeria’s future was bright, given President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to diversify the nation’s economy from oil dependency through investments in agriculture, technology and renewable energy, among others.
“By embarking on economic diversification, Nigeria aims to foster sustainable economic growth that reflects the aspirations of agenda 2063,” Kalu added.