Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said some of the priorities of the Muhammadu Buahri led administration is to ensure improved healthcare and economy post COVID-19 era.
Prof. Osinbajo also noted that the main priority of the Buhari administration is to get COVID-19 vaccine as a way of getting the virus under control.
Prof. Osinbajo disclosed this at the opening session of the virtual edition of the Paris Peace Forum which featured presentations by some Heads of State & government alongside international organizations, on a collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stating what Nigeria’s priorities in its COVID-19 response are, the Vice President said “the priorities of Nigeria in the post COVID-19 era include improved healthcare and the economy.
“First, we need to keep the virus under control. While our guards are still firmly in place, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a matter of utmost concern.”
Underscoring the importance of prioritizing interventions and investments in the healthcare system, the Vice President said “we are encouraging private investment to upscale our health sector, with emphasis on improved facilities and affordable universal healthcare.”
Restating the call for debt relief for developing countries, the Vice President said “the pandemic underscores the need for adequate financial buffers to cope with the ‘black swan’ events. For many developing countries, the debt burden makes this all but impossible.”
Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo noted “we call for debt relief for these countries, and the extension of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) at least until the end of 2021 as well as commercial debt relief where needed.”
According to Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity in a press statement issued after the opening session of the Paris Peace Forum, “the Vice President had in previous international forums earlier in the year made a case for debt relief for developing countries, noting that the Debt Servicing Support Initiative of the G20 is welcome and will no doubt bring some relief to relevant African countries.
“However, it remains inadequate because it does not address the problem of commercial debt service obligations.”
The Paris Peace Forum is an annual event that features leaders and actors from civil society around the world with a focus on challenges facing the world – climate change, terrorism, migration, cyber insecurity, and global governance issues among others.