The Kaduna State Government in collaboration with sponsors such as African Natural Resources; Mother Cat; KK Kingdom ; Dangote Peugout and a host of other sponsors , flagged off the 6th session of KADINVEST on the 23rd & 24th of September 2021 at the Umaru Musa Yar’Ardua Hall, Kaduna State.
The Federal Minister of Interior ,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was in attendance ,in his key note address, stated that the new idea for getting ahead in an economy is Competitiveness and no more the old norm of Comparative Advantage as he quoted from the book titled ‘ How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’. He stated that Europe and Africa at a time were both at this same development rate but Europe left the Feudal system to embrace knowledge and innovation.
” Security is a critical factor and no economic activity can take place without government intervention” the Minister said, as he encourage Nigerians on the situation of insecurities and said that it is transient and peace will soon be restored.
” Nigeria is still an investors dream,as it promises mouth watering return on investment, I use this opportunity to call on investors in agro- allied and transportation sectors to come”.
He stated that the Ministry of Interior has a Department called, Citizenship and Business that ensures proper business and expatriates quota registration, so far it has registered 14,690 companies. He stated that the Federal Government is deeply concerned with the ‘ ease of doing buisness’.However, from August 2019 till date we have registered more than 2,000 companies while over 12,000 expatriates have been given permits to work in Nigeria.
He opined the theme of the KADINVEST – “Towards a Sustainable Knowledge Based Economy”, suggests that Knowledge is a key factor for the development of job and wealth creation.
Recap of KADINVEST 1.0 – 5.0, and unveiling of KADINVEST 6.0 was made by His Excellency, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, Governor, Kaduna State.
Presentation on Recap of day 1 was taken by Dr Hadiza Balarabe – The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman , KADIPA. Guest Speakers at the KADINVEST were Speeches by HH Muhammadu Sanusi II Vice Chairman, KADIPA Board; Celestin Monga- Visiting Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, while welcome remarks were made by Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State & Chairman, KADIPA, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe.
Speeches were made by Keynote Speakers such as- Celestin Monga, Visiting Professor of Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Prof. Benedict Orama, President, Afrexim Bank.
The first plenary session was themed on “COVID-19 and Digitization: Building an Ecosystem for Kaduna MSME e-Commerce” .While the 2nd Plenary – “The Role of Data in Investments” .
High points of the events were -The Signing of Mutual Accountability Framework with Partners; Commissioning of Galaxy Mall and Kasuwan Magani ; the Commissioning of some Urban renewal Projects; Launch of ” Skills 4 Prosperity” by S4P Program/ FCDO and signing of agreement with Kaduna State Government and the Commissioning of Tomato Jos Farming & Processing Ltd.
On the second day the first plenary session commenced with the theme “ACTA: Opportunity in transforming the Agricultural Sector of Kaduna State”.It was anchored by Dr Jelili – Head of the Economics of Noun University Abuja department;Dr Phillips -Agricultural expert; Arch. Uche – CEO; Farmhouse Club ;Abah Bello; Francis Amatogun and Mr Ishiaku – CEO Babagona .
Other distinguished guests in attendance were the Emir of Zazzua; The Federal Minister of State for Mines and Steel – Dr Uche Ogah.
Olaitan Sanya-Abiodun
For: Director Press
24th September, 2021.
