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| Last Updated: Jun 26th, 2012 - 19:50:36 |
Human Capital
VP urges youths to project Nigeria positively, seeks Swiss assistance in recovery of looted funds
Apr 16, 2009, 16:08
| | The Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has charged Youths in Nigeria to be creative so as to contribute positively to the country’s development stating that entertainment and sports are critical to the re-branding efforts of the Federal Government.
The Vice President who stated this when he received one of Nigeria’s foremost entertainers, Mr. Innocent Idibia, also known as 2Face.
On April 16, at the State House, Abuja admonished Nigerians to use their talents to project the image of the country in order to win the confidence of investors and attract investments that will drive development in the country.
“No miracle can solve our problem; rather we must as a nation export more positive things if we are to achieve our national goals and aspirations.” He said.
He commended Idibia for his exploits in music, which had earned him awards both nationally, and internationally including the recent World Music Award in Monaco.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Idibia who commended the Vice President for his humility and peaceful disposition over time particularly his role in finding a lasting peace in the Niger Delta, declared his preparedness as a UN Nigerian Youth Peace Ambassador to project the image of the country positively through music. He argued that the presence of a few bad eggs is not enough to cause a negative perception of the country.
Presenting his recent World Music Award to the Vice President, which he dedicated to the Government and good people of Nigeria, Mr. Idibia said he has started a Foundation to serve humanity.
He appealed to the Government to contribute to the development of the music industry, as the industry is strategic to the promotion of Nigeria’s image and capable of showcasing the country’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile the Vice President, Dr. Jonathan has made a passionate appeal to the Government of Switzerland to assist Nigeria in the bid to recover more looted funds from Swiss banks. This is as he commended the Swiss Government for its co-operation in the recovery of a reasonable amount of such funds so far.
He stated these when he received a Swiss delegation led by the country’s Foreign Minister, Mrs. Micheline Calmy-Rey at the State House Abuja on Thursday April 16.
Dr. Jonathan while noting that trade between the two countries has been encouraging explained that the Federal Government is determined to provide infrastructure that will attract and ensure security of investments. He said that this will create boom in the economy of the country as well as discourage migration. He further explained that much improvement had been recorded in the power and road sectors as a result of the privatization policy of Government throwing opportunities open to interested investors.
According to the Vice President, Nigeria, being a major factor in West African and Africa affairs will continue to partner with Switzerland in the area of trade and bilateral relations which would further improve the country’s economy.
He expressed hope that the Zurich 9 talks which commenced last year will be sustained and taken to positive conclusion for the benefit of both countries.
Earlier, Mrs. Calmy-Rey had explained that the delegation was in Nigeria to explore ways of widening and strengthening trade and bilateral relations between the two countries.
While recognizing the strategic importance of Nigeria to the global economy she noted that about 50 Swiss companies are presently doing business in the country. This is as she assured of the full corporation of the Government of Switzerland towards the recovery of looted funds from Nigeria.
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