Stakeholders: Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit Will Strengthen Economic Ties

Sunday Okobi

The President of the Leadership and Governance in Canada, Mr. Sam Adewale and other prominent Nigerians at third Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit have stated that the summit was to showcase the commitment of both nations to strengthen their economic ties.
They also stated that the summit served as a platform to showcase innovative Canadian and Nigerian businesses, with several Canadian companies pitching their projects to potential investors.
In a statement issued yesterday, obtained by THISDAY, the president who also led organisation of the summit said the third Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit held at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Center in Canada recently was a successful event that ushered in international gathering aimed at fostering investment opportunities between Canada and Nigeria.
The statement added that the summit attracted high-level dignitaries, senior government officials, and influential business leaders from both countries, “making it a landmark event in enhancing bilateral economic relations.”
They added: “The Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit is an initiative of Leadership and Governance Canada aimed at promoting trade and investment opportunities between Canada and Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, the summit seeks to enhance economic growth and development in both nations.”
The event which was concluded recently, featured a series of insightful discussions, panel sessions, and breakout sessions focused on specific sectors, “allowing participants to delve deeper into opportunities and challenges. Some of the sectors discussed included agriculture/agro allied, infrastructure real estate, construction and transportation, education and training, information communication and technology, solid minerals, health care/pharmaceutical and alternative/renewable energy.”
Adewale noted in the statement that keynote addresses from government officials and industry leaders set the tone for productive dialogues, “showcasing the commitment of both nations to strengthen their economic ties.”
He disclosed that among the distinguished guests and speaker were the governor of Niger State Mohammed Umar Bago; Senator Victor Umeh, the Chairman Senate Committee on Diaspora; Hon. Touchukwu Okere, the Chairman House of Representative Committee on Diaspora, Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission; and Gareth Bloor, President African Chambers of Commerce.
Others included Wayne Florean, President, Mine Africa; Harold Schroeder, President, Schroeder & Schroeder Inc.; Paul Stevers, President of Think Renewables Group Inc.; Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Shippers Council; Prof. Ahmed O, Chairman/CEO, Signature Global Real Estate, and a luminary in Insurance brokerage; Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji; and Director of Economy, Trade and Investment, Abigail Sobin.

Still others in attendance were Canada Trade Commissioner Service, Ontario regional Office, Global Affairs Canada; Global Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, First Bank Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani-Mumuny; Bewaji Abolupe Oladoyin, Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service; Dr. Sunday Ajayi Godfrey; and Ambassador Obioma Nzewuji, Charge’d Affaire and Minister, Trade, Investment and Consular, Nigeria High Commission Ottawa.

Paul Jegede, Chairman, Japaul Group of Companies; Business Consultant, Gobuyhub, Jideofor Ahaneku; Dr. Kunle Ibitoye of Beaver Homes, Chief Strategy Officer, Dunya Habitats, Sumi Shan; Kweku Essien of Seso Global, among others also attended.

According to the duo of Adewale and Kola Esomojumi, the organisers of the annual event, “The Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit was a tremendous success, underlining the shared vision of both nations to collaborate for mutual growth.

According to them: “We witnessed an overwhelming response from participants, and the discussions held here will undoubtedly pave the way for future investments that will benefit both economies.

“As the summit concluded, there was a noticeable sense of optimism among attendees about the pathways for investment and collaboration.

“The Canada-Nigeria Business Investment Summit has set the stage for an ongoing dialogue and commitment to driving economic growth and development in both countries.”