Governor Obi Woos Spanish Investors To Nigeria

Gov. Obi yesterday called on Spanish investors to come to Nigeria and invest, he made this call yesterday at Madrid, Spain, while speaking at the Nimad 2013, a business and investment forum and trade exhibition organized by the Nigerian Embassy in Spain.

Gov. Obi, who said that though Spain had pockets of businesses in Nigeria, but that they were yet to invest big time in the country, described Nigeria as a huge construction company with vast business opportunities more than other places in the world.

Citing example with some companies that have done well in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular, Obi encouraged other companies to invest in the State and in Anambra State, arguing that return on investment in the country is very impressive. "Africa is a virgin for investment when other parts of the World have reached their menopause. Most international companies that built their facilities in Nigeria now make more monies because the place is yet to be fully explored.

In Anambra State, for example, which has become the number one investment destination in Nigeria, SABmiller, the second largest brewer in the world built a facility that was commissioned last year, but a visit to their website will show, and it is clearly written that the facility in Anambra has recorded the fastest growth among their facilities all over the world in their over 100 years of operations.

On the issue of security, the Governor said that the perception about Nigeria was worse than reality. He said people blew the matter out of proportion and maintained that Nigeria is safer than most countries, especially in South America that are enjoying robust business activities. He said that those already in the country were busy expanding and called on new ones to come and experience the vast opportunities in the country.

Justifying the call to invest in Nigeria, Obi said that the present Government of President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to the transformation agenda and did not joke with things that would help in the building of a better Nigeria.

The highpoint of the event was the award presented to Gov. Peter Obi by the a Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Her Excellency, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu for his exemplary transformation of Anambra State through what she called "massive and sustained infrastructural provision and development of all sectors in the State."

Commenting on the The Forum which was attended by Nigerian and Spanish businessmen, Sir Emma Bishop Okonkwo, the Chairman of Ekulo group of companies, said that fora such as this would help in expanding businesses among Nigerians and their international business colleagues.