Six Nigerian Governors Discuss: Business, Investment & Development in Their States

H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi – Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor of Rivers State
H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema – Governor of Katsina State
H.E. Liyel Imoke – Governor of Cross River State
H.E. Gabriel Suswam – Governor of Benue State
H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha – Governor of Imo State
H.E. Ibikunle Amosun – Governor of Ogun State
Ambassador Herman J. Cohen – President of Cohen and Woods International, retired from the U.S. Department of State in 1993
Wale Adeosun – Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, LLC
Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders – Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Nigeria beginning in December 2007
Steve McDonald – Program Director for the Africa and Leadership and State Capacity Building Programs of the Wilson Center
Although Nigeria is often thought of in terms of oil production and a legacy of military governance, recent democratic gains combined with anticorruption initiatives and a focus on development which are opening the country to investment in “non-oil” business and development ventures. In keeping with Africare's Policy Series and Constituency's For Africa's Ron H. Brown Series, the Wilson Center's Afrca Program hosted six Nigerian Governors who have been and continue to be instrumental in creating and advocating economic and human development in their respective states. Ambassador Robin Sanders introduced each of the governors and said that she had “had the wonderful opportunity to visit all of their states many times and by far to [her] they are the dynamic, key governors that are doing incredible things in their states.” Ambassador Herman Cohen moderated the first panel discussion and quipped that the occasion was special, “because during my long career in diplomacy … and [having] interacted with many high government officials from the top and all of them were not elected people. They were all people mostly from the military and it is a privilege to be in the presence of people who were elected and are accountable to their constituents.” Each Governor proudly presented the opportunities in their state and encouraged private and public investors to forge lasting partnerships with the Nigerian people in order to ensure a strong, stable, and internationally significant Nigeria.
Panel 1
H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi
Despite a volatile past, the Nigeria of today is fertile ground for business and investment, and analysis of the current conditions will show not only the need for development within certain sectors, but also the eagerness of the local population to participate in these ventures. Nigeria’s population of 140 to 150 million people is composed of a variety of ethnic and religious groups, which interact freely and harmoniously to make a dynamic and efficient workforce. Though consideration of the needs of the local population is key in business decision-making, other factors must also be weighed including environmental protection and the reality on-the-ground. Oil is doubtless the main Nigerian export, leaving the national economy dependent on its production and distribution. One of the cardinal priorities of the current class of elected officials is to reduce oil dependence and diversify the Nigerian economy by developing the agricultural sector and creating jobs in manufacturing and tourism. This diversification would lead to job security and a more competitive and stable Nigeria, thereby increasing regional and international confidence in the country. Past spats of violence and tumult have shaken investor confidence and left valid questions in the minds of many risk-averse practitioners. But, peace in the delta is beginning to take hold and can be seen through the recent rise in oil production. Each Nigerian state is endowed with different assets that should be carefully considered by potential investors and business partners. Rivers State has a population of five million and is the largest oil and natural gas producer in the country. Governor Amaechi characterized this abundance of natural resources as a blessing and a curse for the state. Oil production in Rivers has stimulated economic growth and employment opportunities for the state, but it has also given rise to environmental degradation and pollution in certain areas. Additionally, there has been a gulf between the wealth generated by this industry and the actual income of the population, which must be resolved. The potential for development within the power and agricultural industries could address this issue and alleviate some of the economic disparities among the local population. Rivers State has made progress in the education and health care sectors, yet there is always room for improvement. A recent partnership with an Indian firm has led to the modernization of the school system, bringing it up to UNICEF standards. Availability of and access to healthcare has also been a priority, and medical tourism is an option under consideration by local officials.
H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema
The Governor of Katsina spoke about his state of six million people and described the possibilities that investors could explore within its borders. Katsina State is particularly rich in minerals including precious stones, including diamonds, yet the extraction and refinement industries within the state are underdeveloped. There are also vast opportunities for modernization and expansion within the agricultural sector. Farming is the principal source of livelihood in Katsina, and any advances made would have a direct, positive impact on the local population. Nationally, agriculture is one of the largest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP and, is, therefore, an area that, if properly developed, could provide sustainable and productive occupations for many Nigerians. Compared to other Nigerian states, Katsina lacks abundance in oil reserves, which has led to the diversification of the energy sector and investment in alternative power sources. Currently, a substantial wind power project is being realized to harness energy through more environmentally sound methods. This sector has ample room for growth. In conclusion, Governor Shema emphasized his commitment to providing commercial and industrial incentives to encourage business partnerships in his state. “We have the ambition to ensure that our people are productively employed,” he stated, “and that our resources are well-harnessed for the well-being of all in Nigeria.” “If we harness agricultural resources well, along with oil resources and minerals, I have no doubt that Nigeria’s quest for development by 2020 is achievable,” the Governor asserted.
H.E. Liyel Imoke
Cross River State is one of the most dynamic states of Nigeria and is heralded as one of the “cleanest and greenest” in the country. Moreover, Cross River’s economy is growing faster than the nation’s economy at 6.33% due to its plenitude of minerals and natural resources. It is also host to one of the largest tropical forest in Africa which offers an added level of biodiversity in the natural environment. Cross River State encompasses three different climate zones allowing for a range of agricultural variety that constitutes 42% of the state’s GDP. In addition to the agricultural offerings of the local environment, the prospect for tourism is optimal in the state that boasts of having “Africa’s warmest welcome.” As a result of significant foreign investment, this sector is slowly growing and shows promise for extensive job creation. In conjunction with the drive to boost tourism in the region, Governor Imoke highlighted the need for investment in education and professional training, notably in the service industry. Cross River is home to a sizable skilled and educated (over 1.8 million literate) workforce, and skill-specific training would increase their ability to shift towards a more service-driven economy.
Panel 2
Wale Adeosun, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, moderated the second panel of Governors and stated that “as an investor, this event is a testament to what is happening in the country. To invest in the country, the key issue that everybody worries about is political stability and political risk. As you have seen from the [governors]… the political transition in Nigeria is a strong testament to what the future holds for the country.”
H.E. Gabriel Suswam
The crop-rich state of Benue is often called the “breadbasket” of Nigeria. Eighty percent of the 4.7 million people who inhabit the state earn their livelihood from the land, rendering agriculture development the core focus of elected officials within the state. Farming education and training are provided to the local population by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture. Also, Benue has a wealth of coal, limestone, and salt deposits, and has a large beach corridor that is virtually undeveloped. Benue State is also extremely culturally vibrant, and in tandem with its picturesque beach properties have led the region’s leaders to prioritize tourism in development planning as an expanding industry that holds promise for the people and economy.
H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha
Imo State shares many of the characteristics of other Nigerian states i.e., agricultural wealth, gas resources, and abundant, inexpensive labor, yet Governor Okorocha took pains to discuss the features that set Imo State apart from the others. First and foremost, education is the key focus of this region, and elected officials consider investments in this sector to be vital. The manpower and framework are already in place, but they lack the financing necessary to build the desired educational system. Within this system, officials hope to establish a network of professional schools and special training programs to equip a new generation of Nigerians with a skill set that can build and sustain competitive, market-oriented industries. To achieve this goal, potential investors will be incentivized by free land, 15-year tax exemptions, and work visas. Moreover, with specialized training and skills, the manufacturing industry in Imo will be able to grow beyond its current state.
H.E. Ibikunle Amosun
The bustling region of Ogun is often referred to as the “gateway state” due to the large, busy highway that adjoins disparate parts of the state. Agriculture, commerce, and industry are the strengths of Ogun, and local products are distributed with ease throughout the country via the transnational highway. Governor Amosun highlighted the particular fertility of the land in Ogun state with proclamation that “everything grows here!” He articulated the integrality of agriculture to the Nigerian economy and spoke of his desire to have a more open trading environment to facilitate the distribution of Nigerian goods. Furthermore, his ambitious goal of five hundred new investors over the next few years was emphasized by promises of land donations, legal permits, and tax incentives. Ogun’s strategic location, infrastructure, and natural resources combined engender a vast economic potential and demonstrate the positive changes that are taking place in Nigeria.
Concluding Comments
The government of Nigeria is making a concerted and deliberate effort to diversify the economy in order to provide Nigerians with legitimate, sustainable career paths. Past media attention has focused on the corruption, violence, and illicit practices of the informal economy that has plagued the country, but the government now hopes that new developments will allow the media to show a new emerging face of Nigeria. By providing Nigerians with education, healthcare, and professional opportunities, the prominence of the shadow economy will shrink dramatically. Further, decisive steps to rid the government of corruption have been taken and, in effect, transformed the public sector into a more transparent, proactive entity, and raised the prevalence of elected officials that are accountable to the people of Nigeria. This is providing a new democratic environment that hopefully fosters solid and fruitful business relations. Although the advent of an entirely stable political and economic environment is far from complete, consequential progress has been made, and a welcoming and advantageous business climate for foreign investors is on the rise.

Black History Month 2012 Remarks by Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders

@UNACA-Africare Event 4 Rep Barbara Lee&Rosa Whitaker CEO Whitaker Group

"African American Women in Global Affairs, Culture and History"

Thursday, February 16, 2012
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Welcome to this joint United Nations Association of the Capital Area (UNA-NC) -Africare Event. On behalf of Africare’s President Darius Mans, myself – the international affairs advisor, and Dr. Cynthia Carter, Chief Development Officer it is a pleasure to have you at Africare House. Africare would like to thank the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, its president, Karen Mulhauser, and all of its members who dedicate their time and effort in advocacy for and educating about the United Nations and for its leadership in bringing all of us together this evening for this wonderful 2012 Black History event.

Let me just say a few words about Africare, although most of you are friends and know our dedication and history, but it is especially noteworthy during this Month – Black History Month (BHM) – which highlights the history of a people and provides a national platform for all of us to showcase what African-Americans continue to contribute to this great land of America, and our national fabric. You know Martin Luther King, Jr. talked about the “mutuality of inclusivity” – meaning that we are all connected, interdependent, and to use a techno phrase of today link-in®, to each other as people, as nations, and as organizations.

The UNA-CA and Africare share these same elements in common. Africare has dedicated 41 years in support of the people of Africa through it various programs in agriculture, health, water and sanitation with a specific focus on women and women’s leadership, the later point – women’s leadership - brings us to the theme of our program today. This evening we will honor two-dynamic, dedicated, and demonstrative women leaders, who are also both advocates, and trailblazers – the Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee of the 9th District of California, and Ms. Rosa Whitaker, CEO and President of the Whitaker Group, who has been a dear friend of mine for many years.

In this 86th year of celebrating the contributions of African Americans -- as this seminal activity began in 1926 as Negro History Week, and was changed to Black History Month in 1976 -- it gives both the UNA-CA and Africare the great pleasure to recognize two incredible African-American women leaders who are both symbolic and illustrative of the sentiments of BHM month – which calls for us to “honor the accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor [of life] throughout our history,” and I would add in our present.

This evening’s program begins with a welcome by UNA-CA President Karen Mulhauser & Africare’s own Dr. Cynthia Carter. Their remarks will be followed by an MLK Tribute by Howard Professor Dr. Anita Nahal, then presentations to our honorees, a befitting musical tribute by Ms. Loide Jorge, and closing remarks and vote of thanks respectively by Recardo Gibson and Abioye Oyewole.

On the Road in Northern Nigeria in Support of USG Advocacy for Inter-religious Dialogue, Health Sector Improvement, and Cultural Preservation – One Year After President Obama’s Cairo Speech.

On June 7-9, 2010, I travelled to the northern part of Nigeria to visit Katsina, Sokoto, and Borno States to further build U.S.-Nigeria relations. I had the opportunity to dialogue with traditional rulers, community and civil society leaders.

The first stop was Katsina on June 7. I used the opportunity, while in Katsina, to pay a condolence call on behalf of the U.S. Government, on Hajia Dada, the mother of the late Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. I also visited the 100 year old Gobarau Minaret (originally built 500 years ago). This historic monument was originally a mosque, and then became a center for learning and a lookout point to spot invading armies. The US Government is providing a grant to rebuild the minaret and protect its proud heritage through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. I also called on the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, in which he strongly emphasized that continuous interaction between Christian and Muslim communities was vital to foster peaceful co-existence amongst the two religious groups.

In Sokoto, on June 8, I paid a visit to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar, and commended him for his tremendous leadership role he has played in the Polio Eradication Initiative in northern Nigeria. We also discussed ways to involve traditional leaders in efforts to address other health-related problems such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, in order to improve the health conditions and lives of people in northern Nigeria.

In Borno, the focus was on mutual understanding as I met with the Shehus of Borno and Dikwa and students at the University of Maiduguri to restate the importance of President Obama’s Cairo Speech on New Beginning for America’s engagement with the world -- across nations, peoples, religions and perspectives. She also toured the historic Rabeh’s Fort at Dikwa, North East Nigeria, to learn more about Borno’s rich cultural and religious traditions. The Fort which is now a National Monument was built in 1894 by Rabeh Ibn Fade-Allah, as his headquarters after successful invasion of the Borno Empire. The story of Rabeh’s exploits and death is of great historic importance in the remaking of the present Borno.

Similar to my first visit to the Shehu of Borno’s palace in Maiduguri, about a year ago, I was given a warm traditional welcome by traditional drummers and trumpeters on the evening of June 8, 2010 when the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi received me. Similar courtesies were accorded on June 9 when the Shehu of Dikwa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Masta II received me in his temporary palace in Dikwa and also presented me with the royal ci-ma-yi dress underscoring his appreciation for the first visit to the palace by U.S. Government Official since his coronation in March 2010. The conversation with the two traditional leaders focused on efforts by the U.S. Government to support the Borno community in health, education and agriculture and to reach out to diverse communities to build mutual understanding, interfaith dialog so that we can all live “as part of human kind in -- harmony, in peace, and in prosperity.”

Also while in Borno, I made my second trip to the University of Maiduguri to have a roundtable with a diverse group of Muslim and Christian students to talk about their views and feelings about the U.S. It was an interesting hour and half where students made both positive comments and raised areas of concern, particularly regarding Nigeria’s upcoming 2011 elections. We talked through the issues and I noted how important it was to appreciate that mutual understanding did not mean we had to agree on everything, but what it did mean was that we respected each others’ views and perspectives. I also stated that “through our partnership we have continued to support all Nigerians to strengthen democracy, encourage free, fair and transparent elections in 2011, fight corruption, encourage good governance, respect for human rights, invest in the people of this great country through our health, education and youth leadership and economic empowerment programs, promote women’s rights and girls education, respect for the diversity of religion, diversity of political views and the diversity of perspectives on the world.”

I told the students that as the youth and future leaders of Nigeria, they must show commitment to building a better future for their country and think deeply about what positive legacies they want to pass on to their children fifty years from now. We ended the session with me noting that Nigeria was one of the U.S. Government’s best friends and thus we wanted the best for Nigeria, especially for the 2011 elections.

Trying to Preserve the Uli Cultural Practice

June 16-18, 2009: For the last two days I have been traveling in the southeast states of Enugu and Anambra to the villages of Enugwu-Inyi and Nkwelle-Ogidi to meet with the few traditional practitioners of an Igbo cultural practice called Uli who were being trained under a USG grant by a renowned Igbo professor, artist, and academic, who I consider an Uli activist, to preserve Uli designs through crafts from jewelry to pottery to clothes. I actually bought a set of placemats with Uli designs from CAD, hand painted pottery, and a pair of earrings. Traditionally Uli symbols were painted on the body in place of clothes or on huts (homes) or shrines, but modern times have put pressure to abandon these wonderful ways. I met and had the opportunity to have conversations with the most fantastic women in their 60s-80s who are the last of their kind trying to hold on to the ways of the past that their mothers and grandmothers taught regarding Uli. Although many of them no longer know what the individual Uli symbols mean, except to say that their spirits tell them what to paint, they were all beautiful women (one claimed she was old-age beautiful!), with wonderful spirits and full of life. They all told me they were renewed by the training and the possibility of the economic empowerment that selling crafts would bring them. With this grant, the USG has not only given these women hope, but also helped in transforming their lives. This means a lot and makes me not only pleased that the U.S. Mission is involved in projects like this, but that the giving nature of the American people can be seen through the eyes of these incredible women!