Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has met with the United States in a bid to revive the region’s economy through inclusive growth and development following the destruction of the region’s economy by the activities of Boko Haram.
Speaking at an investment forum hosted in Abuja, the two parties stated that the task of rebuilding the North, and specifically the North-east which had been ravaged by terrorism, rests squarely on inclusive economic development.
The investment summit was sequel to last March meeting of the governors with United States National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, at the White House where they were reportedly advised on the need to concentrate on development issues rather than political considerations or playing the blame game with regards to tackling societal issues raised by the Boko Haram menace.
The framework upon which the initiative stands is propelled by the US government through its trade and investment agencies and Nigeria’s Embassy in Washington D.C.
Institutional investors like the World Bank, Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and United States Exim Bank, as well as private local and international investors are included in the initiative identifies growth in agriculture and construction of critical infrastructure such as electricity, road, rail networks, education and health care delivery as the best options available to the region to restore its economy, create employment and stamp out the tides of terrorism which it currently experience.
About 30 local, international and institutional investors have already signified interest in helping to solve the region’s problems through massive investments that would lead to economic resurgence.
The investors include General Electric, Brambles, USAID, Milhouse Engineering, Manchester Trade, Dangote, World Bank, Blumberg Grains and African World Expo, APR Energy, Symbion Power, Motorola Solutions, Learning Center, Procter and Gamble, Templar as well as Essex Renewable Energy. Their areas of interest include investments in agriculture, ranch/exotic livestock farming, energy, education, health care, infrastructure, housing, solid minerals and hydrocarbons.
Chairman of the NSGF and governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu Mu’Azu, while declaring the summit open, said it was heart-warming to see the US government and investors from the country show interest in the northern region despite its insecurity challenges.
He noted that the region would reciprocate such interest by making sure that every stakeholder in the region contribute to ending the reign of terror by Boko Haram.
“Many people are aware that in this part of the world, we still have to beg parents to send their children to school and we now have the unfortunate incident where our girls were kidnapped. We must condemn the activities of Boko Haram; and all the assistance that we will be getting from other countries, we hope it does not stop at bringing back the girls but it should go on to expose those who collaborate, those who assist, those who sponsor the Boko Haram and other insurgents in our part of the country,” he said.
He further stated: “We must ensure that all those who are responsible for the task of ending Boko Haram take their responsibilities seriously and to end the fight with Boko Haram and other insurgencies within the next three months, we cannot afford to go on like this.
“We appreciate your faith and confidence in what we are doing even in the face of the enormous insecurity challenges in our country. We are determined to overcome the challenges and have improvements by exploring the vast investment potentials of our states for the sustainable development of our people.”
While justifying the need to invest in Northern Nigeria, the governor said: “With our land mass, we can feed ourselves and export food from Nigeria but it is unfortunate that we have become the largest importer of food and so we welcome you all the investors and thank the United States Institute of Peace for setting agenda for promotion of peace in the world.”
“This summit will address issues of concern to the people of the region and particularly the challenges faced by some states presently plagued by poverty, unemployment and insurgency and to act as vehicle through which the NSGF seeks partnership with the international investment community and aid agencies to assist in rebuilding, reconstruction and rehabilitating the Northern states towards achieving sustainability, peace and development.
“We condemn the activities of the Boko Haram sect and we believe in education as the means of achieving our potentials,” Mu’Azu said at the summit attended by all the 19 northern states which represented either by their governors, deputy governors or secretary to the state governments.
He also established a link between the summit and the just-concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, stating that the summit will consolidate on the gains of the WEF and other far reaching initiatives of the federal government in reinforcing the exploration and management of the vast economic resources of the North for the overall development of the nation.
“Prospective investors would have confidence in the opportunities that abound in the Northern states, including but not limited to agriculture, ranch/exotic livestock farming, energy, education, health care, infrastructure, housing, solid minerals and hydrocarbons,” he said.
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