By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor PUBLISHED: 07:10 EST, 12 August 2013 | UPDATED: 15:31 EST, 12 August 2013 Sensible: International Development Secretary Justine Greening defended giving aid to Nigeria, which has launched a space programme Britain giving millions of pounds to Nigeria while it embarks on a space programme is a ‘sensible investment’, the government insisted today. The oil-rich country, which has accepted £300million from Britain in aid this year alone, has set in train ambitious plans to launch its own rockets and even put a man into space. But International Development Secretary Justine Greening was backed by Downing Street after arguing that it was money ‘well spent’ by Nigeria.
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International Development Secretary Justine Greening defends aid cash
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Oil-rich country has accepted £300million in aid this year alone
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Plans for Nigerian astronauts to join missions within next two years
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But 70 per cent of the country live below the poverty line of £1.29 a day
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Row ignited by UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom's 'Bongo Bongo land' comments
But Ms Greening insisted the foreign aid sent to @placeholder would ‘help Nigeria progress and develop as a country’.