Jonathan Makes Appearance At Investors’ Conference In London

LESS than 24 hours after the Presidency confirmed President Goodluck Jonathan’s inability to attend the opening ceremony of the ongoing Honourary International Investors’ Council (HIIC) conference in London, United Kingdom, the President was reported to have made a surprised appearance at the event on Friday.

   Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, had in a statement on Thursday said that the President was unable to attend the opening of the conference and instead, sought medical attention in an undisclosed hospital in London.

 Abati had added that Jonathan became indisposed and could not be present at the opening of the meeting, but “has since been examined by competent medical practitioners” and “advised to rest for a few days.”

  

 The statement did not specify the nature of the illness, neither did it identify the hospital where the medical examination allegedly took place.

  

 However, Jonathan suddenly made a surprise appearance at the Hilton Hotel, Parklane, London venue of the conference on investment.

 The President arrived at the second floor venue of the event at exactly 9:30, London time, was in company of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Senator Dalhatu Tafida, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nurudeen Mohammed. He apologised to members of the council for his inability to attend the conference on Thursday, blaming it on his ill health.

  But he assured them that he was strong enough to be in attendance at yesterday’s session.

  Dressed in a black-stripped traditional South-South attire and bowler hat to match, Jonathan did not display any sign of weakness, as he shook hands with Coordinator of the council, Baroness Lynda Chalker, and other members before taking his seat after the national anthem.

  

The President, who addressed the forum, restated his administration’s  commitment to continue to take bold and courageous decisions aimed at revamping Nigeria’s economy.

 A statement from his media department said the President appeared at the forum, having made a speedy recovery from the indisposition he experienced on Thursday.

 After apologising to the council members for his absence on Thursday, Jonathan said his administration has attained significant momentum on the drive to attract new investors into the country, and will continue to encourage existing investors within the country to expand.

 He stated: “In 2014, we must not lose this momentum, but rather broaden our interventions to address other difficult issues, like the high cost of financing in the country and the dearth of adequate skills.

  “This 15th meeting builds on the last conversation we had in Abuja and begins to address the fundamental issues constraining competitiveness and investment in Nigeria. Competitiveness ultimately drives profitability, which is what investors are seeking worldwide.

 “To be competitive, we must address long standing issues and introduce bold and courageous reforms, regardless of short term political pressures. This is why my government has remained steadfast in making Nigeria the preferred location for investors to do business, because it is our only pathway to create jobs, generate wealth and guarantee our security,” he said.

   

 Continuing, Jonathan added: “In building a truly competitive environment for business, we are addressing the fundamental issues, such as internal security and power supply, head-on. For the first time in Nigeria’s 53-year history, we have successfully privatised the electric power industry.

   

“We are bringing capital, technology and operational excellence into the sector. As a result, 11 distribution companies and four generation companies have been privatised, realising over US$3 billion for government.  For council’s information, the assets were finally handed over on November 1, 2013. 

 “I am delighted to inform you that investors are responding positively to the opportunities in the sector and we expect to see significant investments in the sector and across the value chain going forward. 

  “Resolving the power sector alone completely changes the paradigm on doing business in Nigeria, and we are satisfied with the progress made.

  “Equally, although challenges remain, we are investing in the requisite security infrastructure and intelligence network that will enable us deal more effectively with the new threats we face, which can and do hamper investor confidence in our economy.”

  

The President noted that in ensuring that the environment was suitable for investment, government would also continue to intensify the fight against corruption. 

  

He used the opportunity to inform council that Nigeria would be hosting the World Economic Forum on Africa between May 7 and 9 next  year.

  

This, he added, is yet again a strong sign of Nigeria’s central economic and political role in the continent, noting that the forum would be used to shape matters of inclusive growth in the continent.

 The statement said the President participated in a discussion of the presentation by the Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, on the development of Information and Communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in Nigeria.

   

He was also briefed on the council’s previous deliberations on measures to secure additional sources of financing for essential development projects in Nigeria.

  

 Baroness Chalker told the President that council members felt much more positive about the opening up of investment opportunities in Nigeria. 

  

She said attendance at the ongoing meeting was the highest ever in its history and that its members were very excited about the emerging potentials of the Nigerian economy.