By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has received the “Leadership Service Award 2014” from the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO-Germany), for initiating Abuja Land Swap programme, to fast track the provision of infrastructure in the Territory.
Accordingly, the United Nations award winning FCT Administration ‘Mailafiya Programme’ also formed part of the consideration that earned Mohammed the 2014 NIDO award, held at Leonardo Hotel, Hamburg, Germany.
Peoples Daily recalls that the minister introduced Abuja Land Swap Initiative, tackle the snail pace of the infrastructural development of the Territory, which is already opening up ten new districts.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Una Owo Nta, presented the award to the minister, for being a promoter of Trade and Investment / Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Speaking after receiving the award, the Minister, promised that the award will spur him to greater heights in the service to humanity.
He dedicated the award to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who has given him the opportunity and latitude to make contributions towards the development of the country.
The Minister urged NIDO members across the globe to take advantage of the enabling environment provided by the FCT Administration to return home and invest in the Territory.
“Opportunities are abound in the FCT especially those for the knowledge based like the Abuja Technology Village and the Abuja Film Village International, where NIDO members can conveniently participate with their knowledge, experience and expertise,” he said.
He therefore encouraged them to always good ambassadors and scout for genuine investors for Nigeria; noting that this is the best time to invest in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the President of NIDO-Germany, Kenneth Gbandi, said the theme of the celebration “Mastering Nigerian Society Challenges and Optimizing Business and Investment Opportunities” was adopted to see how their members could assist Nigeria.
He restated it intends to network support from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Hamburg and Berlin respectively for Nigeria.
The ceremony was also attended by the Nigeria Ambassador to Germany, Counsel General of Nigeria to New York, a Nigerian who is the Municipal Legislator; Ostend City Council, Belgium; Director-General of National Oil Spill Detection & Response Agency in Nigeria, as well as some top officials of the FCTA, to mention but a few.
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