By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Amb. Samuela Isopi, said that from a history of conflict and tyranny, the founding fathers of the global frontline multilateral Institution, known today as European Union (EU), created a union of peace, unity in diversity and solidarity.
She also noted that EU will continue to stand by Nigeria, its regional partners and ECOWAS and remains committed to supporting the region in building a community for the people.
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Ambassador Isopi said this while welcoming international community, top government functionaries and friends, during the commemoration of Europe Day in Abuja, over the weekend.
She said: “On Europe Day, we mark Schuman’s vision that on 9th May 1950 laid the foundation of what is today the European Union. Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, proposed to pool the production of cool and steel, two raw materials used for war! But with the purpose of building peace from a history of conflict and tyranny, we created a Union of peace, unity in diversity and solidarity. With wars ranging around us, the message that former enemies can make peace and work together is more important than ever! And as European Union, we continue to work for peace, everywhere. On this day, we celebrate the people who built our Union and those that keep building it, piece by piece, every day. This day belongs to all Europeans, but also to all the dreamers, the builders and to all those that every day and everywhere work for peace and solidarity. We, Europeans, should be proud of our Union”.
The EU diplomat bragged that there is no other region in the world where democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are as advanced as they are in the EU or where people can have access to healthcare, education and welfare regardless of their social or financial status.
EU, she said, is proud of being a force for peace, prosperity and justice in the world.
She recalled that from the six founding Member States EU has grown and it is now 27 member state Institution.
Amb. Isopi said EU is proud that it has extended its hand to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and opened negotiations with other countries in its neighbourhood to become members of the Union.
The war in Ukraine, she said has changed Europe, but it has also helped realize the importance of moving further ahead in building the Union.
She also disclosed that EU cooperation with Nigeria tops global rankings whether in the energy and climate, digital, innovation, health or entrepreneurship areas.
This, Isopi added, is further amplified by its joint work with EU Member States and EU financial institutions (such as the European Investment Bank) as Team Europe, which combines their strengths across most areas of cooperation.
“In line with the Global Gateway strategy, EU cooperation is now targeting critical public and private investments, thereby providing the necessary instruments to make such investments viable and sustainable. In the health sector, besides continuous support to public actors at federal and state level, our support includes the mobilisation of public and private sectors investors towards increased local manufacturing of vaccines and other health products.
This year’s Nigeria EU Business Forum on July 2nd in Abuja will bear witness to progress made and raise our ambition for the years to come.
As we increasingly focus on investments, our support to migration, governance, peace and security will continue unabated. This support reflects the fundamental values and challenges that bind the EU and Nigeria, such as the rule of law, democratic governance and protection of fundamental rights. In that regard, we believe that the position – and empowerment – of women and youth in today’s Nigeria deserves our collective attention,” she said.
In less than a month, Isopi said, EU citizens will go to the polls to vote for the next European Parliament – a vote that will contribute to shaping the Union in the next five years.
She encouraged all EU citizens to participate, to elect their representatives in a parliament that has become more and more relevant and that, with its decisions, is making an increasingly crucial impact on the lives of the 450 million European citizens, and on our partners too!
The EU, she concluded will have new institutions, new leaders, and will be at the centre of a renewed debate about its future and its purpose.
The Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, expressed appreciation to the EU for its support in various sectors, including education, healthcare, digital economy, agriculture, security, and governance.
The European Union (EU), he said, is supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation with a €820 million
investment through its Global Gateway initiative.
This investment, he added, includes
€160 million in grants and €660 million in loans.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the EU is also supporting Nigeria’s digital future through the AU-EU D4D Hub, a project that helps African institutions create an enabling environment for a sustainable digital transformation.
