By Seun Adams
With mounting and pervasive security challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mrs. Amina Mohammed, the DG, World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and several other stakeholders are meeting in Paris today to shore more international support for the fight against insecurity.
The one-day NIPF will also attract the Nigerian and French governments and private sectors in wide-ranging discussions focused on security, regional stability, trade and industrialization. It aims to attract investment to Nigeria, and bridge existing infrastructure gaps, this is as contained in a statement made available to the media by government.
The engagement according to Mr. Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President to the President, on Media said the meeting will spotlight Nigeria’s immense trade and investment opportunities, reset false and distorted narratives about Nigeria, and shed light on the efforts, initiatives and successes achieved in both the public and private sectors, as the country charts a trajectory of recovery from the COVID-19 induced global economic downturn.
Speakers at the forum will include Ministers and Heads of MDAs as well as Nigerian and French private sector operators are also participating. Others include the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN); Directors General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and French Development Agency; Presidents of the African Development Bank and African Export Import Bank; the French Minister of Foreign Trade and Economy; and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd).
Nigeria’s private sector participation at the Forum is led by the President of the Nigeria-France Business Council, Abdulsamad Rabi’u. Leading business executives, across financial services, manufacturing, oil and gas will seize the platform to share experiences and perspectives on doing business in Africa’s largest economy, as well as their outlook on the future.
The high-level event on the sidelines of the annual Paris Peace Forum, which holds from 11th to 13th November, 2021, will draw attendance from participants at the three-day Forum, Nigerians and Africans in France and the wider Diaspora, the global business and investment community, Diplomats, Civil Society Organisations, as well as Nigerian, French and international media organisations.
