UTA receives full backing to operate in Nigeria as they sign cooperation agreement with FG
By: Our Reporter
The federal government of Nigeria through the ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, on thursday officially sealed her relationship with United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation (UTA), a United Nations non -governmental organization operating in Nigeria.
The relationship was formally consummated through a cooperation agreement signed between both parties.
Speaking on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria during the handing over of the agreement, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Samson Ebimaro who stood in for the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, enjoined UTA to abide by the terms and conditions of the cooperation agreement.
He stated that the Ministry will not hesitate to wield the big stick if the UTA deviates from the terms spelt out in the agreement.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that the Ministry’s duty is that of coordination, while the NGOs are meant to work with states, local governments and the people on poverty reduction, health and sundry issues in line with their mandate, as he advises UTA to carry out it’s duties judiciously
“We’ve come a long way in processing and signing this agreement with your organization on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria. It implies you want to work with us. It is a voluntary exercise because you want to support humanitarian initiative.
We have become your host because this is the Ministry that coordinate the priorities, plans and projects of the federal government.
We thank you for the initiative as we sign this agreement with you as an international Non- Governmental Organization working in Nigeria.
Your rights and privileges are well spelt out in the agreement and we encourage you to follow the provisions of the agreement faithfully. You should not do things that are inimical to the national interest of the country.
We encourage you to work in accordance to the agreement. The Honourable Minister has graciously endorsed this agreement “, he summed up.
In her response, the Country President, UTA Nigeria, Ambassador Abigail Amalaha thanked the Ministry and the federal government for it’s strict enforcement and scrutiny of the sector.
She promised to abide and restrict the international NGO to the terms and conditions spelt out in the agreement.
She emphasized that as a Nigerian she will only do those things that will bring honour and upliftment to the country.
She also expressed her gratitude to the parent body of the organisation in Geneva, Switzerland for their confidence in the Nigerian chapter, while promising to advance the ideals and goals of the organization in Nigeria in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
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Last modified: September 8, 2025
