Abuja – The Cross River Government said it was ready to host the 2016 Africa Region Investment Conference of World Mayors from May 23 to 27 in Calabar.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by Mr Chris Ogar, Special Adviser to state governor on Intergovernmental Affairs during a courtesy visit to the Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ogar was accompanied by Amb. Eyo Asuquo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the conference and Mr. John Igoche, the Conference Manager.
He said that the world mayors were those in the third tier of government and would all converge on Calabar.
The governor’s aide said that as a destination of choice, the world made it possible that Calabar should play host to the mayors.
He said that the event was to buttress further the thinking of President Muhammadu Buhari, geared towards revamping the Nigerian economy through diversification.
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The Special Assistant said that to achieve this, there should be world class programmes and events such as the world mayors aimed at drumming up international support.
“For diversification of our economy to be possible, we need some collaboration from foreign nations.’’
He said that dependence on oil had made Nigerians lazy and docile.
“We are looking at energy, sustainable agriculture and a complete departure from oil,’’ he said.
He said that though there was a rise in the exchange rate of the dollar, that did not affect the local market.
“A cup of garri and beans still remains the same in our local markets. A lot of those crying wolf are those who engage themselves in international businesses.
He commended Mr President for giving express endorsement for the world mayors conference.
He said that Sen. Ben Ayade, the Cross River Governor, in accepting to host the conference, wrote to President Buhari and received his express endorsement.
“Under the President’s arm and seal, he approved the conference.’’
The governor’s aide solicited the support of the NAN in the upcoming World Mayors event.
“We want to work with you, making sure that our activities in the liaison office are adequately covered.
The chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Amb. Eyo Asuquo, said that NAN, as a frontline agency, kept the nation in the front burner.
He said the purpose of the conference was to “align ourselves with the Federal Government’s trail to use agriculture and solid mineral in the national economic diversification agenda of Mr President’’.
He said that mayors from various countries like Vietnam, India, South Korea and China were going to be involved in the conference to help drive the nation’s economy.
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“We should not only leave our economy in the hands of America,’’ he said.
He said there were other members like the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Customs Service and other world embassies excited about the conference.
He thanked the management of the agency, led by its acting Managing Director, Mr. Jones Afolabi, for receiving them at a very short notice.
He requested that NAN should be linked to the organisers’ website so that they could be given robust publicity for the conference.
“Everyone wants to be at NAN; that is why we are here to seek strategic co-operation with NAN,’’ Asuquo said.
Responding, the Acting Managing Director told the organising team that it would be accorded the maximum support from the agency.
“We have District Offices in the country which shall report on the activities of the conference. NAN shall partner with you,’’ Afolabi said.
He said that the conference was an opportunity for the mayors to invest in the country and appointed a Director in NAN to work with the LOC. (NAN)