Being the goodwill message by Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman, NGX at the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit at Asaba, Delta State.
I am delighted to participate in the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit with the theme: Harnessing our Strengths and Unlocking our Potentials for Accelerated Economic Development.
I am very aware of Delta State’s many natural endowments. You are a leading crude oil producer. The State extends from the middle of Nigeria to the Atlantic coastline with soil suitable for many types of agriculture and waters rich for aquaculture.
Your human resources are similarly rich and diverse with many of your sons and daughters leading the way in banking, manufacturing, media, sports and governance to mention a few.
You are truly blessed but natural resources on their own are not enough for socio-economic development as we have seen in various countries. They need to be harnessed and used properly through innovative ideas and excellent implementation in order to jump-start progress and development.
This is why summits such as this are important as they provide a forum for great minds such as I see gathered here to proffer the ideas and come up with the plans that will shift Delta State to higher levels of development.
I am also happy to note that the administration of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is taking a collaborative approach to the development of the state exemplified by your partnerships with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, the Central Bank, the private sector and your invitation of the Nigerian Exchange to this Summit.
The Nigerian Exchange NGX is the country’s premier platform for raising long term capital, the type that Delta State needs for infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and value for you and your states. The over one hundred and fifty companies in various sectors of the economy that are listed on our platform who are also looking for viable opportunities and markets and we would be willing to connect the state with many of these companies.
I therefore look forward to three days of vibrant deliberations and networking. I congratulate his Excellency and his team and the organising committee led by Dr. Austin Avuru for successfully organising this Summit and look forward to three days of vibrant deliberations and networking.
Thank you all very much.
Alhaji (Dr) Umaru Kwairanga
Chairman, NGX Group
