Abolaji Adebayo
The Canada and Nigeria intergovernmental and business summit otherwise known as CANNIBUS 2016 with the theme: “Canada- Nigeria synergy for improving bilateral trade, investment and partnership opportunities in the new Nigeria” will take place in Toronto Canada between November 2 to November 5 2016. CANIBUS 2016 is being packaged by Etcetera Interaction International Limited; JMTPLUS Integrated Limited and Diaspora Innovation institute.
Speaking with journalists, the President of Etcetera Interactions International Ltd., Mr. Wale Olaitan said the primary aim of the summit is to attract foreign direct investment to Nigeria.
This programme is known to Canadian High Commission. They encouraged us to go ahead with it. They are aware of it and have been granting us tremendous assistance but we cannot say they are supporting us because it is not their programme.
He said based on their request, the Canadian High Commission have invited Canadian companies in Nigeria to be part of the delegation to Toronto saying that the primary aim of inviting Canadian companies already in Nigeria is that since they are already in Nigeria, whatever they tell their counterparts from Canada, the would be investors would believe them better.
Also speaking, the Co-Chairman of the organising committee and President JMTPLUS, Bode Olasetemi said the summit is targeting seven key areas of power, agriculture, solid minerals, financial sectors, transportation, ICT as well as oil and gas saying the primary aim is to attract investments in these key areas.
He said the ideas behind the summit started with JMT PLUS and Etcetera meeting with Deputy High Commission in charge of trade who encouraged them to go ahead. “As a matter of fact the Canada Dep. High Commission here introduced us to Nigeria High Commission in Canada. We settled down for Sept 14-16 but due to logistics we have to shift it to November 2-5,” he said.
As to what informed the summit, Olasetemi said they looked at advantage when disadvantages came. “When the fall in the price of oil came up we think of how do we add value to Nigeria and make money, making money while adding value. And we feel Canada is very good in mining and agriculture especially agriculture expertise and equipment and we know agriculture is where government is focusing now.”
Speaking on the importance of the summit, the Chief Engagement Officer of Diaspora Innovation Institute, Prince Akinwale Ojomo said if at the end of the summit investors come to the country from Canada their business activities would generate employment and wealth for the country.
He said this would also improve the security situation in the country because according to him, youths who are idle would be engaged and they would shun crime as according to him an idle hand is a devil’s workshop.
He said those being targeted for the summits are corporate elites, and both low and high income businessmen declaring that it is not for those who are looking for opportunity of going to Canada.
