By Saidu Abubakar
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, PhD, has reiterated Nigeria’s willingness to continue to work with APPO, Afreximbank, the Africa Energy Bank’s management, and participating governments to provide an enabling environment for the institution to fulfil its mandate, because Nigeria regards hosting the Bank not merely as a privilege, but as a responsibility.
He made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja while delivering his remarks at the inaugural Genreal Assembly of the bank.
He stated that the Federal Government has demonstrated the commitment through the provision and handover of suitable, fully furnished headquarters facilities and through its continued engagement with the promoters of the institution.
“Let me emphasize that although the headquarters is located in Nigeria, the Africa Energy Bank belongs to Africa.
“I wish to express our profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and commitment to the successful establishment of the Bank in Nigeria,” the Minister enthused.
“Its mission transcends national boundaries. Its success must be measured by its contribution to energy development, economic opportunity, and shared prosperity across the continent,” added Lokpobiri.
He also acknowledged those who made the milestone possible, saying no achievement of this magnitude is the work of one individual or one institution.
“The Africa Energy Bank is the product of collective vision, political leadership, institutional cooperation, and sustained hard work.
“On this historic occasion, I wish to express my profound appreciation to all those who have contributed to making this dream a reality.
“I wish particularly to recognize Professor Benedict Oramah the immediate past President and Chairman and Dr. George Elombi, the current President and Chairman together with their dedicated colleagues at Afreximbank, for their leadership, expertise, commitment, and invaluable contributions to the establishment of the Bank.
“I equally wish to recognize Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim the immediate past Secretary General and Mr. Farid Ghezali the current Secretary General together with their colleagues at the APPO Secretariat, for their tireless efforts, determination, and dedication throughout this journey.
“I also commend the APPO Executive Board and the APPO Ministerial Council for their exemplary leadership, guidance, and sustained commitment. So do I commend the Executive Board of Afreximbank for its support to the management,” he said.
The APPO Ministerial Council, the Minister said, provided the political direction and institutional support that enabled this initiative to advance from concept to implementation. Its decisions and guidance at critical stages of the process were indispensable.
The collaboration between APPO and Afreximbank demonstrates what African institutions can accomplish when they combine their respective strengths in pursuit of a common continental objective, according to Sen. Lokpobiri.
“I congratulate the governments of participating APPO Member Countries for their commitment, particularly those that have signed and ratified the Bank’s founding instruments and contributed to its initial capitalization.
“I also acknowledge the contributions of the various technical working groups, legal and financial advisers, experts, and other stakeholders who worked, often behind the scenes, to overcome the many challenges encountered along the way.
“To everyone who contributed to this achievement, whether through leadership, financial commitments, technical expertise, diplomacy, or administrative support, I say a sincere and heartfelt thank you.”
History, he insisted, will remember that when Africa faced a major challenge to the financing of its energy future, “these individuals and institutions chose action over resignation, cooperation over fragmentation, and determination over doubt.”