July 26, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario
Check Against Delivery
Good morning/afternoon. It is my pleasure to be here on behalf of Canada’s Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Christian Paradis.
I understand that this is the inaugural national convention for the Akwa Cross Association of Canada.
I applaud your theme of “preserving the culture of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States for future generations through the building of an Akwa Cross Community Centre.”
I am a strong believer in the power of cultural activities to ground young people in their community and to be a positive outlet for their energy and enthusiasm.
In my years of community work, I have been committed to finding solutions to youth violence as a way of reducing crime. I have worked with churches, police, politicians and communities to organize community events that work toward solutions to senseless violence.
So I can easily imagine that giving Nigerian young people a place to gather and be a part of their culture will also help them to find their footing in life.
I had the good fortune to travel to Nigeria in January of last year, as part of Trade Minister Fast’s trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana to explore opportunities for Canadian firms to invest in the vast resources in these countries.
And I was happy to see that Minister Paradis and Minister Aganga signed the Canada-Nigeria Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement during his trip last May.
Creating sustainable economic growth is the best way to break the cycle of poverty and create shared prosperity.
The signing of this agreement is a clear sign that Canada and Nigeria want to provide companies with the confidence needed to invest and grow, which will contribute to both countries’ economies, by creating jobs and greater opportunities for workers and businesses.
As you all know, Africa is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world.
This continent is so filled with rich history, resources and gracious, welcoming people.
I believe that, with support from the Canadian government and Canadian business investments, the future is brighter for all African people.
The need for meaningful, sustainable employment, especially for youth, is a critical issue in Nigeria.
You will also be pleased to know that we are supporting work to reduce poverty and help Nigerians develop skills through Canada’s development program.
Our international development program focuses on two areas.
The first is improving the health and saving the lives of mothers and children.
In fact, Nigeria is a priority country for Canada and a key player in the fight to eliminate the preventable deaths of mothers and children.
Just this past May, Prime Minister Harper hosted the international Saving Every Women, Every Child Summit.
And once again, he showed that Canada is leading the world on this issue with a $3.5 billion commitment to women’s and children’s health.
Canada’s work in Nigeria is also focused on increasing employment and business opportunities for Nigerians in such areas as agriculture, forestry and mining.
I understand that Cross River State is home to more than one million youth—which is a substantial portion of the 3.4 million people who live there.
Sadly, a significant number of the youth of Cross River are unemployed.
That is why I am very pleased to announce today that Canada will contribute $15.25 million to a project with CUSO International to promote youth employment and entrepreneurship.
The project aims to increase sustainable economic growth and prosperity for women, men and children in Cross River State, by increasing the job opportunities and entrepreneurial capacity of young people.
Our partners will work with the Nigerian government’s policy makers, civil society organizations that work with youth, and technical vocational training institutions.
The goal is to coordinate efforts to increase employment and self-employment, and secure livelihoods, based on natural resources.
The project will be active in all 18 Local Government Areas of the State, in an effort to create the conditions needed to develop an economy based on the efficient management of forests, agriculture and fisheries.
Over four years, this project will train 12,000 young people in entrepreneurship, and create 5,000 micro and small enterprises owned by young men and women.
In fact, we are hopeful that young women and men will have more equitable opportunities to take part in economic activities related to the natural resources sector in Cross River State.
Canada is proud to help increase employment, support small entrepreneurs, and secure livelihoods for young women and men in areas such as agriculture and forestry.
We all know that good governance, democratic development and respect for human rights are crucial to building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
That is why Canada has been steadfast in its support for Nigeria as it fights the terrorist threat of Boko Haram.
On December 30, 2013, Canada announced that it had listed Boko Haram as a terrorist organization, and Canada’s Criminal Codecriminalizes activities that assist in carrying out terrorist including the transfer of funds.
Canada condemned the kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram, along with other terrorist acts committed against unarmed civilians, in the strongest terms.
As we just recently passed the sombre 100-day anniversary of the kidnappings, Canada continues to see these acts as repugnant. They will never be tolerated.
And so, as Canada and Nigeria continue to build closer ties, let me say in closing that I am happy to be here with you today and I look forward to taking part in some of your activities.
Thank you.
