Nigeria: The Constituency for Africa (CFA) hosts luncheon for Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola in Washington

24 May 2011
Constituency for Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

The Constituency for Africa (CFA) in cooperation with, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, hosted the newly "re-elected" Governor of Nigeria's Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), at the Washington, D.C.-based Army-Navy Club where Sanders is a member.

The Constituency for Africa, a leading Washington, D.C. education and policy advocacy organization, is working to build a base of support for Africa in the United States.

Dr. Sanders introduced Governor Fashola, by highlighting his extra-ordinary commitment, dedication, and vision, and also noted that "she had seen firsthand the results of his leadership and the transformation of Lagos during her many visits to the city and that his result-oriented administration served as a positive role model not only for the rest of Nigeria, but more globally as well."

In his remarks, CFA President Melvin Foote said that he was pleased to welcome Babatunde Fashola because the Governor is widely recognized for his efforts to promote good governance, accountability and tangible results for the people of Lagos State in Nigeria.   Said Foote, "Governor Babatunde Fashola is serving as a "very positive role model" not only for Nigeria, but for the entire African continent.   The Governor is creating a wonderful environment in Lagos State that bodes well for attracting capital and foreign investment!"

The luncheon event was attended by 50 key civil society, academic, and private sector representatives interested in hearing the Governor's vision for one of Nigeria's most important states -- Lagos -- where the capital city of the same name (Lagos) heralds a population of 18 million.

Winning re-election with 82 per cent of the vote, Governor Fashola told the assembled crowd that his vision for the next four years for his State focused on infrastructure development, particularly in mass transport (rail, bus, ferries), the housing and agricultural sectors, as well as on educational and training programs for youth. Fashola also stressed "the importance of coming and seeing Nigeria first-hand," he told the U.S. group that they could not understand and invest in Nigeria unless they actually came to the country to appreciate the array of investment opportunities there.

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