Africa’s past debts not channeled to appropriate goods, services – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said debts incurred by African countries prior to their cancellation for 32 countries in 2005 were not channeled into appropriate economic goods and services that could bring the much-needed growth.

He said this at the public presentation of a book on Ambassador Bamanga Tukur titled “Legacies of a Legend”.

• After Daily Trust report, FG raises c’ttees to implement Oronsaye report
• OPEC raises Nigeria’s oil production bar to 1.666mbpd

Buhari, was represented at the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who also chaired occasion. He said debt, if properly contracted and utilised effectively, was an important instrument in the economic blueprint of a government in its policy making sphere. 

He said: “During the latter part of my engagement there (UN), I recalled Bamanga Tukur’s activities with Tony Blair led Commission for Africa in 2004/2005 and how that led to the 2005 G8 Summit landmark decision on debt cancellation for 32 African countries. 

“Prior to that, many poor African countries were using large portion of their little resources to service debt obligations.” 

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa, advised parents to insist on the need to conduct drugs test before giving out their daughters in marriage.