From Idris Abdullahi, Bauchi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Nigeria needs to mobilise private sector investments to fasttrack sustainable economic advancement.
Obasanjo said this in Bauchi yesterday at the inauguration of the International Conference Centre, ICC, constructed by Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration.
The centre was named after the first Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Obasanjo, who noted that local and international investments must be mobilised to accelerate national economic growth, noted that “With what we have; we can show the world that we are part and parcel of the world. What others have and pride themselves about, is not more than what we have.
“Some people don’t even have half of what we have. We have a world packed centre which can be develop and be made one of the tourist attractions in Nigeria.
“The people that will be coming here, will be able to stay in hotels, interact, have discussions and conferences at the ICC, and make Bauchi a centre of attraction and tourism for Nigeria.
“Not only are we commissioning this, we are starting with a conference to talk about investments and what we need in Nigeria today. We need to mobilise investments from local and international investors.”
He also promised to showcase Bauchi to the world with a view to attract investments to the state.
On his part, Mohammed said the ICC was initiated to attract local and international businesses to invest in the state.
Besides, the Project Contractor, Reuben Okoya, said the centre was designed to accommodate 3,000 people, adding that 10 separate events could take place simultaneously at the centre.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Deputy Governors of Oyo and Plateau States, Bayo Lawal and Josephine Piyo, among others.
