Nigeria: World Economic Forum - What Next?

The World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF-A) ended in Abuja, Friday, May 9, 2014, on an optimistic note with the report that over 1, 500 business owners have made a commitment to invest the sum of $68 billion in Africa. The 24th since inception, the Abuja forum has as its theme; Forging Inclusive Growths, Creating Jobs. The euphoria of its success, has the WEF's Managing Director, Phillip Rosler, describing this year's WEF as the biggest gathering in the series, saying the forum could pool investments in the above amount to the continent and listed the areas of the economy the amount could be invested in to include education, health, infrastructure and agriculture among others. No doubt it was a very successful World Economic Forum on Africa. It had more than 48,000 articles from the three days in Abuja. This compared to last year is more than three times higher. The last year's forum generated 16,000 articles. It is a proof that Africa is very important to the people of the world. According to Rosler, the World Economic Forum does not only want to create a future of interest but a commitment to improving the state of Africa. But for the very success of the forum, it would appear WEF - Africa was a jamboree in Abuja. What with the sum of N4 billion spent by the Federal Government in hosting the three-day forum. A statement from the office of the out-going Director General of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group(NESG), Frank Nweke , confirmed the amount and added that it was budgeted for in the yet to be signed 2014 Appropriation Bill. This was aside sponsorship from over 100 international corporations.

This is Nigeria. Asking for propriety will appear in government quarters to be subtracting from the basic essence and success of the forum. However, it is important to note that while the government is reeling in the euphoria of the forum's success, it must draw attention to the most applaudable resolution of the forum, i.e. Africans should begin to think Africa.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.