Anyim, Okonjo-Iweala, others for S’East Economic Summit

Posted by admin Latest Politics, South-East Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are among dignitaries billed to participate in the forthcoming South-east Economic Summit.

While Anyim is the chairman of a panel to discuss the future of the political future of the zone and its economic implications, the former managing director of the World Bank, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala will deliver the keynote address.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Chris Obiefuna, who told newsmen in Enugu that the dignitaries had confirmed their participation at the summit also disclosed that the owner of the Songhai Farms, the largest farm in Africa, Revd Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo would deliver the lead paper on Agriculture at the summit. Said he: “A likely revelation of the summit is the Founder/Director of the world acclaimed Songhai Agriculture Centre in Port Novo, Republic of Benin, Revd Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo, who will deliver one of the Lead Papers on agriculture at the summit.”

The Songhai Centre, which has a 6000-hectares farm has become one of the globally recognized resource centres of excellence in agriculture and a Mecca of sort to most state governments in Nigeria seeking some ingenious agricultural initiatives. Chief Obiefuna expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations at the summit scheduled at Nike Lake Hotel Enugu, from Thursday1, to Friday 2, September this year and which had already received the blessings of the South-east governors.

He expressed joy that “over 90 percent of the resource persons have confirmed their participation. Top on the list is the former managing director of the World Bank and Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who will deliver the keynote address at the summit.

“Others who have confirmed their participation include Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, who is the executive director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa/ NEPAD Division based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Prof. Anya O. Anya who will deliver one of the Lead Papers in the Political Agenda Session.

“There is also the world renowned scientist and current Minister of Power & Steel in Nigeria, Prof. Barth Nnaji, who will speak on Transforming Nigeria’s Power Sector: Benefits for South-east Nigeria. A seasoned and renowned Economist, Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, who will deliver a Lead Paper on Strategic Plans for the Industrialization of South-east Nigeria has also confirmed his participation.”

Among other things, the summit is aimed at finding practical solutions and strategy to turn around the deplorable state of the economy of the zone as a contiguous economic bloc.

-Sunwp_posts