L:R-The Chairman NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mayor of Houston Texas, United State of American(USA), Sylvester Turner, and Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Runsewe,at the reception in honour of visiting Mayor of Huston Texas USA, yesterday in Abuja.
By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Mayor of Houston Texas, United State of American(USA), Sylvester Turner, said his city wants to increase trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria and seeks direct flight establishment .
He said “We do need to increase trade between Nigeria and City of Houston for growth and development”.
Turner,speaking at a reception dinner jointly organised by National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, “We have more Nigerians in the US and Nigeria is the economic engine room of Africa.
“Our trade and investment relations need to be stronger, that is why we brought a large delegation to build on it”.
He said “we believe in a place that will provide greater opportunity to Nigeria and USA and the gate way is through Huston”.
“We didn’t come here to talk about AIDS. We are here to talk about trade, investment and elevate our relationship to where it has never been seen”,he stated
Giving insight on the direct flight , the Mayor reiterated that the relationship between Houston and Nigeria will ease trade and investment engagements.
“ There is a room for growth and for that to take place, we are establishing a meaningful relationship because where there is mutual relationship in business, growth is inevitable “.
He further explained that, members of his delegation would be meeting with relevant authorities in Nigeria to discuss and work out how the flight agreement could be accomplished.
He said the provision of direct flight would bring an end to having two stop overs and 16 hours journey when flying from Houston to Nigeria.
“The flight agreement will bring about trade and investment which will unlock and provide opportunity for people to engage in businesses.
He appreciated Nigerians for their kind hospitality and the relationship is valued.
Similarly, Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Runsewe, emphasized that the direct flight agreement between Houston and Nigeria would create employment opportunity and reduce crimes in the country.
Runsewe said that the emergence of President Bola Tinubu as the Chairman of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS had opened doors for improved trade and investment in the country.
He said culture is an automatically part of every aspect of business development.
“With what happened here today,this will change the perspective of what people said about Nigeria, time has come that Nigerians are speaking for theirselves and changing the narratives “, He said .
Meanwhile, The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that the trade and investment mission visit to Nigeria by the Mayor was commendable.
Meanwhile,
She said Nigerians are hospitable people and urged the delegation to visit the Point of No Return in Badagry, Lagos state.
Earlier, while welcoming the delegation, the Acting Permanent Secretary FCTA, Adamu Gwari, encouraged they guest to at look to vest investment opportunities Nigeria has to offer and take advantage of it .
