The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, at the weekend said the State was gradually emerging as the choice destination for investors, promising that his administration would continue to work round the clock not only to become a shining example for Africans in Diaspora, but retain the State as investors’ haven.
The Governor spoke at the 2016 International Forum on African Leadership, where he received an award as the Best Performing Governor in Nigeria.
The award ceremony was organised by the African Leadership Magazine and held at the Regis Hotel, New York, USA.
Since he assumed office on May 29, 2015, efforts have been geared towards creating a conducive and friendly environment for investors and for businesses to thrive.
Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, apologised for his absence to receive the award, but said he acknowledged the importance of the event hence his decision to send a powerful delegation.
The delegation included Durosinmi-Etti; the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde; Ambode’s Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass; and his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna.
The Governor, in his remarks shortly after receiving the award, said the security and judicial reforms, which he initiated at the commencement of his administration and the creation of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, were part of efforts to reduce the burden of bureaucracy and security concerns for would-be investors.
While saying that the state is open for business, Governor Ambode assured would-be investors that government would continue to invest in security, job opportunity and infrastructure, which are the tripod upon which his administration was built.
He said Lagos is also playing a leading role in the Nigerian economy and as such must not shy away from ensuring that it takes the lead as Nigeria restrategises to restructure its economy for greater prosperity.
“Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa is like a country and the momentum with which the state is moving, it might soon emerge as the biggest economy in Africa. It is home to almost every religion, tribe and colour and accommodates the largest pool of black people all over the world, including Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is from Nigeria and has a home in Lagos,” he said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Magazine, Ken Giami, while thanking participants for finding time to honour the occasion, said the focus of the Forum was for good governance and how it could impact on the African continent.
Giami said: “We have to connect, build bridges and cultivate both intra and inter African interests and connection, continue discussion and conversation on how to move Africa forward.
“A continent that has all the natural resources but still at the lowest ebb in the rank of other continents, needs trade and investment because there are many opportunities that abound in Africa. This is the time for countries all over the world to explore the resources that abound in the continent to make the world a better place for us.”
Other recipients of the African Leadership Awards at the event included the President of Malawi, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika; the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kabore; and the Vice President of South Sudan, Taban Deng Gai.
