Nigeria’s mission-aire visit to the UK
By Peter Olorunnisomo
The eagles of Nigeria’s executive policy machinery landed in London Wednesday, 28th November to herald what promises to be a mission extra-ordinaire to demonstrate the earnest desire of the Goodluck Jonathan government to increase the drive for backing up local policies to move the Nigerian economy forward.
The 13th Meeting of the Honorary International Investors Council (HIIC), led by the Council’s oo-ordinator, Baroness Lynda Chalker, provides a platform for this veritable business forum at London’s Berkeley Hotel that has attracted the participation of the Nigerian government.
The challenge to various Nigerian governments has always been to improve the domestic economy in a manner that impacts positively on the steady growth of public services and local industries, thus stimulating a viable and sustained public private sector partnership to achieve private sector led economic growth.
The absence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in this assemblage can be forgiven in view of the recent sad passing, on the president’s birthday, of his brother and, of course, pressing state matters. Nevertheless, an entourage comprising of His Excellency Vice President Namadi Sambo, Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy; Prof. Sylvester Monye, Special Advisor to the President; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hon. Minister of Finance; Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Shamsideen Usman, Hon. Minister of National Planning; Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum; Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade & Investment; Mr. Labaran Maku, Minister of Information; Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd), Minister of Agriculture; Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Police Affairs; Mallam Sanusi Lamido, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; Aliko Dangote, founder, Dangote Group; Femi Otedola, Forte Oil; Jim Ovia, former MD of Zenith Bank Plc; and Engr. Mustapha Bello, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) cannot be viewed as a less than formidable team with which to meet with captains of industry and key government politicians in the UK.
Against the backdrop of this visit are policies enunciated to encourage foreign investment and participation in areas likely to stimulate the local economy and bring in credible investors on such terms that will assure Government’s determination to back its policy drives with incentives. It is thus an avenue for a one-stop shop to educate potential investors and businessmen to look at Nigeria as a viable investment harbour.
Government local policies that might interest investors could be in the petroleum sector, where establishing more refineries is at the core of bankable considerations for any investor meeting with this mission. The imperative to rejuvenate the sector and make it more responsive to the needs of the people and government as a foreign exchange earner cannot be over-emphasised. Government’s vision in the aviation sector has led to considerations which include the acquisition of new, commercial aircraft to service and improve the safety conditions of air travel in Nigeria. This, of course, will have its own bearing on private sector participation affecting other socio-economic indices like employment, aviation expertise, the hospitality industry and its associated services. Other aspects of international participation are in agriculture, food security, the stimulation of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), housing, and energy.
All these are geared towards achieving the budgetary goals and policies that are harmonized in the projections of the national planning department. It is, therefore, no surprise that the governmental chieftains in these sectors are represented in order to state the government’s position on these issues and entertain dialogue on considerations to capturing investors.
The two-day forum will also feature position papers reflecting and positing solutions and other considerations by captains of industry in the UK, which include Jim O’Neill, Chairman, Goldman Sachs; Mr. Alec Erwin (South African View point); Diana Layfield, CEO Africa and Phillipe Sachs and Ian McCabe, MD Burston Marsteller.
