REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI (C.O.N) AFRICA INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT AND EXPO – HELD AT SHERATON ABUJA HOTEL ON 2ND NOVEMBER, 2017.

PROTOCOL.

1.It is my pleasure to be with the leading lights of the Nigerian and African business world today at the Africa International Investment Summit and Expo 2017. I would like to thank the organizers for inviting me. I must say that it is always a stimulating and highly productive time when we come together to fashion out ways to promote Potentials and Investment Opportunities in Nigeria. It signals our fervent desire to deliver economic viability and prosperity to our country and our people as a whole.

2.Ladies and Gentlemen, the attractiveness of Nigeria to investors, both local and global, is limitless, as you will all agree with me. We in the National Assembly are grateful for the confidence reposed in us by the Nigerian business community to uphold the ongoing rejuvenation of our economy. It is not a duty we take lightly, and I assure you of our unflagging commitment to this vision.

3.It is heartening to note that Nigeria has moved up 24 places on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index for 2018. This of course has been made possible by the National Assembly, Federal Government and the Private Sector working in tandem to strengthen the economy and enhance the investment environment.

4.For the past year, the Senate has conducted an Economic Legislative Agenda to promote economic growth in the country, as well as job creation to engage our teeming youths, to promote prosperity for our people. Much of this effort has been geared to strengthening the role of the private sector and boosting investor confidence. I daresay we are beginning to reap some of the rewards of these efforts.

5.One of our primary goals in the National Assembly is to reduce government intervention in sectors that are traditionally guided by market forces. This reform will help create more industries needed for the job growth and economic stability that we are striving for. To this end, several of the Senate’s priority economic bills are making their way to final passage in both Chambers of the National Assembly.

6.We are confident that, with your active support and collaboration, Nigeria is well on the way to economic recovery.

7.I thank you once again for the opportunity of addressing you today. I wish you a successful Summit and Expo.

God bless you all.
God bless Nigeria.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE