Nigerian Economic Summit: PIND, MADE sponsor breakout session at Transcorp Hilton

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND and the Market Development Project in the Niger Delta, MADE have collaborated with the Nigerian Economic Summit’s Sustainability Policy Commission to sponsor a breakout session at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja with the theme: “Low Carbon Investment Opportunities for Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP in Niger Delta Communities”.

This year’s edition of the annual Nigerian Economic Summit was titled: “Opportunities, Productivity, and Employment: Actualizing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan”, is a direct response to the Federal Government’s determination to strengthen and diversify the Nigerian economy.

It is the first time that the Nigerian Economic Summit will hold a session on Niger Delta development and the Niger Delta is important for national development for many reasons.

Nearly 32 million Nigerians representing over 40 different ethnic groups live in the Niger Delta, even as the region’s importance has typically centered on oil, but the sector provides only 0.01% of Nigeria’s total jobs.

 “It is no coincidence that this panel is happening this year, following one of the worst economic recessions that Nigeria has seen,” said PIND’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Tunji Idowu.

“The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERGP to put us back onto the path of sustained economic growth and presents a unique opportunity for non-oil sector development in the Niger Delta that both tackles youth restiveness and employment. We can only ensure the sustainability of the Nigerian economy by focusing on sectors with high-growth potential. That is why agriculture is so important,” Idowu stressed.

The session took advantage of the national conversation on economic diversification (spurred by the ERGP) to drive attention to agricultural sectors in the Niger Delta with high-growth potential.

Present at the event were representatives from energy companies such as Oando, Royal Dutch Shell’s All On; agribusiness firms like Syngenta and Olam; the German development organization, Heinrich Boell Foundation, as well as state and federal government representatives from Rural Electrification Agency, Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL the Presidency and Ministry of Environment.

×