Top Nigerian government functionaries, captains of industry and their British counterparts have held a business roundtable in London to tackle the economic development of both countries.
The event was held in the UK in commemoration of Nigeria’s centenary.
Channels Television’s London correspondent, Doris Okenwa, reports that amidst series of events organised by some UK government officials and Nigerians in diaspora.
Top on the bilateral talks were power, infrastructure and education in Nigeria while the keynote speaker, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan made a case for investment in small and medium enterprises and emphasised the need for works on the Ogidigben gas city to be facilitated to mark a new era for Nigeria’s industrial revolution.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, stressed that the need for Nigeria and the UK to continue the bilateral relationship.
“We should make sure that others do not come and take over the exceptionally good position that we have’” he said.
The governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, said that the plant would have a gas processing facility, a petrochemical plant, a fertilizer plant and a deep sea port. He pointed out that it will be the largest gas city in Africa.
The founder of Africa Matters, Baroness Lynda Chalker, said that for Nigeria to succeed peacefully as a country, Education and health must be at the top of the agenda.
She also called for increase in power.
The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, pointed out that the demand for power in Nigeria was huge and still open for investments.
The meeting created an opportunity for private investors and entrepreneurs to engage and find ways of boosting bi-lateral trade.
But at the heart of the discourse lies the much talked about checks and balances needed for a stable business environment in Nigeria.
Development deficits and gaps in governance remain a greatly contested issue in Nigeria.
