PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA LAUNCHES SIERRA LEONE NIGERIA TRADE AND INVESTMENT FORUM

His Excellency President Dr. Ernest BIA Koroma has officially launched the Sierra Leone Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum (SLENTIF),in Abuja, the Capital City of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Launch which took place at the Conference Hall of the Sierra Leone High Commission Chancery on Saturday October 2^nd, attracted Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hon. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), Nigeria’s Hon Water Resources Minister, Chief Obadiah Ando , Chief executive of the African Conference Round Table Chief Bamanga Tukur, the ESAMA of Benin Chief Professor Igbenidion and other distinguished Sierra Leonean and Nigerian businessmen.

Speaking before the launch, President Ernest Bai Koroma congratulated Nigerians for a successful celebration of her golden jubilee and said Nigeria is still continuing to play its leadership role in the sub region. He recalled difficult times in Sierra Leone and thanked Nigeria for its support and assistance. He said during those times, Nigeria went to Sierra Leone, even before the United Nations.   

“We are here to launch the Sierra Leone - Nigeria Trade Investment Forum: I am happy to be part of it, because it is a part of our Government's Policy and a continuation of programs  which we started in Sierra Leone: and the Sierra Leone -Nigeria Trade and Investment Forum  is in consonance  with this”. Said President Ernest Bai Koroma. Therefore, I commend the High Commission and in particular, the High Commissioner:.

President Koroma said “we are preparing for a new beginning (Golden Jubilee): the government came to power with a clear and well defined policy: that is,” The Agenda for Change” That is: “only when private sector takes its place as an engine for economic growth, will we be able to transform the country”. Said President Koroma.

“For us to cope, it was incumbent upon us to prioritize certain areas including Energy, Agricultural enhancement, Infrastructure and Improve the delivery of Social Services. 

The High Commissioner, Ambassador Henry Olufumi Macauley, had earlier briefly outlined the progress made so far by Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Ernest Bai Koroma, culminating in the lifting of sanctions by the United Nations, signalling a return of Sierra Leone to full normalcy in the polity of Nations. In his statement, he pointed out that economic integration should not wait for political integration and though Foreign Direct Investment has increased in Africa by over 24%, yet Africa only invests 4% into Africa. It is hoped that the creation of SLENTIF will help increase this quota of African business activity. He lauded Nigeria for having made encouraging FDI in SIerra Leone though banking and other business activities.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hon. Odein Ajumogobia also thanked President Ernest Bai Koroma for having a “Progressive” envoy in Nigeria and described the launch as divine providence- for it to not only coincide with Nigeria’s 50^th Independence Anniversary, but also to coincide with the natal day of President Ernest Bai Koroma.The Nigeria’s foreign Affairs and International cooperation Minister also thanked High Commissioner H.E. Macauley for his vision and hoped that other Countries will emulate what has started in the territory of Sierra Leone in Abuja, to further strengthen the African Unity.

In his statement, Chairman Africa business Round Table, Alhaji Dr.  Bamanga Tukur described the initiative as a positive move in the right direction of Economic emancipation. He re-itereated that true economic development will only come from business integration of Africa and referred to SLENTIF as an effort that is is in line with the ECOWAS trade and Business Policy. He affirmed that African Business Round Table will partner in this effort wholeheartedly to ensure its success. 

Earlier, Sierra Leone’s Political Affairs Minister Hon. Alhaji Alpha Kanu opened the Forum with a Muslim Prayer, followed by Mr. Dudley Elliott the Principal Liaison officer to the Lagos Liaison office. The Vote of Thanks was given by Ms. Ranya Kargbo, Human Resource Manager at UNICEF in Abuja.

Notable guests included representatives of the major Nigerian banks, Oil and Gas Companies, ICT Companies, Engineering Companies, ECOWAS and members of the Press.

The Ceremony was moderated by Rakie Macarthy Ag. HOC.

Pasco Gerald Temple

Information Attaché

Sierra Leone High Commission

Abuja, Nigeria