The Kogi State Government has said over 300 local and international investors have indicated their willingness to attend the first ever Kogi State Economic and Investment Summit, billed to take place in the state capital, Lokoja, next month.
The Secretary of the Organising Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance and Investment, Achile Omali, stated this while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the events held to mark the second anniversary of Governor Yahaya Bello in office over the weekend. He said the government had declared the state open for business, after it had taken care of so many teething issues it met on ground in the two years it has been in power.
“To attract the kind of investment that our people will be proud of and take full advantage of, we had to ensure that the issue of insecurity was rounded and completely tackled,” Mr. Achile said. “Governor Yahaya Bello sat down with the heads of security agencies and together with them fashioned out the best course of action to ensure success. Two years down the line, Kogi is far safer than it has even been and we are now open for business. It is now that we feel confident enough to invite investors from all over the world to come and see the wealth obtainable in Kogi State.
“More than three hundred investors from Nigeria and abroad have assured us of their attendance and we have put all in place to ensure they have a good time here and show them how safe their money is in Kogi State and how fast it will multiply.”
Achile added that national and international leaders of thought and industry will be gathered for the two-day event, adding that the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would give the opening speech at the event.
Also expected are the Former Economic Adviser, Professor Mike Kwanashie; the President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Sani Shehu and Bangladeh High Commissioner, Major General Kai Kobad.
“The theme of the summit is ‘Harnessing our diverse resources in agriculture, solid minerals and tourism for potential economic growth,’” the Special Adviser said. “As we have united the people behind our drive to prosper the state, and laid down water-tight policies and guidelines to secure our assets and the investment of our partners, we are certain that Kogi is the best place for investment. Our land is vast and rich, our potentials for mineral mining is almost endless and we have prime tourist attractions in the state. Ask the Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. He is the Number One Corporate Citizen of the State and will be at the event live to tell the world how good he has had it in the state. We want many more local and foreign investors to join him.
He added that there are opportunities of investment in education, health, Job creation and infrastructure.