•Secures London Financial Times’ partnership to promote investment opportunities in Rivers
From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday, led a delegation of top government functionaries to the Financial Times of London for business negotiation. During the visit, Governor Wike opened talks and secured the partnership of the world’s leading business publication in both promoting the State’s brand and its investment opportunities on the global stage. He was received on arrival at Financial Times’ headquarters in London by Mr. Mark Carwardine, Commercial Director, Africa and the Middle East and Larry Kenny, Sales Manager for Africa and the Middle East. Governor Wike sought and received the partnership of the Financial Times of London in driving business opportunities in Rivers. He also used the opportunity of the visit to ask for greater spotlight on Nigeria, due to the failing nature of her democracy, which, according to him, was undermining development and investment opportunities in the country. The governor stated that: “Another area of our interest has to do with the survival of democracy in Nigeria. We can’t talk about investment when we don’t have democracy. “Investments can only thrive when institutions are strengthened and not weakened. We believe that with what is happening in Nigeria today, if people don’t speak out, democracy may not survive”
In his response, Mr. Carwardine acknowledged the political challenges in Nigeria and thanked the governor for his visit and assured him of Financial Times’ collaboration with the State Government in promoting its investment opportunities and brand.
Governor Wike and the visiting delegation, after their meeting, were led on a tour of the corporate headquarters of the organization in Southwark Bridge, London. Members of the governor’s delegation were an elder statesman, Chief Emma Anyanwu, members of the House of Representatives, Ken Chikere and Betty Apiafi, former Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Barr. Emma Okah, Dr. A. J. Beredugo, Executive Assistant to the Governor and Mrs. Dornu Kobara.