The Ibom Pulpit

Nigeria Still Investors’ Haven – Gov. Godswill Akpabio August 9, 2012

Posted by Ibompulpit in Akwa Ibom Diaspora, Economy, Government, News, Organization.
Tags: AIDN, akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria
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PRESS RELEASE

 

Nigeria Still Investors’ Haven – Gov. Godswill Akpabio

 

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio has said that foreign investors are still very enthusiastic in investing in the Nigerian economy despite the security challenge that the country is going through.

Governor Akpabio made the assertion while speaking to Journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on arrival from the Akwa Ibom State Economic Summit and Investment expo in Houston, Texas, USA.

According to Chief Akpabio the Economic summit had brought together many reputable international companies who were willing to invest in the country. “The Akwa Ibom State Economic Summit which was organized by a group of Akwa Ibom people in the diaspora  under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Diaspora Network (AIDN), brought together many foreign companies who are very desirous in investing in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

“The investors have the confidence in the Nigerian economy and the ability of President Goodluck Jonathan in steering the ship of state. Of course, they know that in Nigeria there is a high return on investment and if they invest in the economy they will have a high return on their investment like the companies that invested in the telecoms sector. So they are very enthusiastic,” he said.

He listed the investment opportunities in Akwa Ibom State to include aviation, maritime, tourism, oil and gas  and small and medium scale industries. He expressed the hope that the state would attract the much needed foreign investment because of the excellent state of infrastructure.

On the insecurity in the country, the governor described the Boko Haram members as a faceless set of people, who indulged in mischief under the guise of religion. He said he was satisfied with measures put in place by the President to tackle the crisis. According to him, the group would soon surrender their arms because as Nigerians, they also want to witness peace.

In his words: “Who are the members of the Boko Haram? When we see Boko Haram members, we will discuss with them because as far as I am concerned, we still have a lot of people masquerading under Boko Haram to send a lot of mischief text messages, information, among others. Mr. President has the apparatus of government to know truly who is a Boko Haram member and who is not.

“ I am sure that he is taking the right security steps to address their feelings and I am very sure that very soon, Boko Haram will lay down their arms because they are Nigerians and they would like to see peace.”

“The rumour about Islamisation of Nigeria is being orchestrated by people who are hiding under Boko Haram to cause crisis. It happened in the Niger Delta when we had militants and all sorts of people claiming to be Boyloaf, Tompolo and others.

“It was only after the amnesty was declared that these kingpins under militancy came around and people saw them. They were people who were being used; some people were paying money to these people who called themselves militant warlords in the Niger Delta. They were not and clearly speaking, a lot of 419 and a lot of youths are trying to take advantage of the situation and trying to be Boko Haram,” he said.

Chief Akpabio urged Nigerians to support the President and his transformation agenda, declaring that Nigerians have begun to enjoy the dividends of democracy under the present administration.

 

Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant (Media) Abuja