Business
WEF’ll Address Socio-Economic Challenges – Jonathan
Buxom-Lite complex commissioned in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: NAN
President Goodluck
Jonathan has expressed confidence that the forthcoming World Economic Forum on Africa would attract huge foreign capital into Nigeria and the entire African continent.
Jonathan, who was speaking at the Presidential Media Chat in Abuja, said some prospective participants at the forum had indicated their interest to invest billions of dollars into the nation’s economy.
He said two investors had announced that they would be investing 250 and 150 million dollars respectively in the economy.
“If Nigeria gets permanent right to host World Economic Forum on Africa regularly, it may develop infrastructure such as in Davos, Switzerland’’, he said
He explained that the hosting of the forum by Nigeria would help the country in attracting additional investment as well as address the challenges of infrastructure development. The president said the forum would provide opportunity for international financial institutions as IMF, World Bank, African Development Bank and others to discuss their offers for speedy development of Africa.
According to him, the forum will also afford the private sector opportunity to source for more funds to enable it invest in critical infrastructure of the country.
He said the forum would provide the platform for government to invite the private sector to partner with it in the development of the transport, health, agriculture and the energy sectors of the economy.
The President, who identified instability in the nation’s power sector as one of the greatest challenges facing the government, said the energy sector would attract global attention during the forum with a view to addressing it.
On the order to close schools and government offices today and tomorrow due to hosting of the economic forum, Jonathan urged residents of Abuja and management of private sector schools to cooperate and show more understanding to ensure success of the forum.
He said the federal government was working assiduously to reduce the level of unemployment in the country by encouraging small and medium enterprises.
The President, therefore, expressed optimism that the forum would help the country in addressing the challenges of unemployment through private sector intervention.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
