VP Osinbajo, governors, heads of int’l agencies, others to grace 5th Nigeria Mining Week
Story from Abah ADAH, Abuja
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, state governors, ministers, heads of international agencies, CEOs and several experts are expected to give talks at the upcoming 5th Annual Nigeria Mining Week slated to run from Tuesday 16th through Wednesday 17th November 2021 in Abuja.
Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed this Tuesday during a pre-event media briefing organised at the ministry in Abuja, adding that this year’s mining week is intended to be the best outing so far.
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He said, “It will be at the window for foreign investors to access the opportunities in the Nigerian mining sector.”
According to him, the forum will also be used to attract and mobilise potential local investors, many of whom he said still do not appreciate the gains in mining.
“Even at home here in Nigeria, we have a lot of potential investors, but the problem is that a lot but f Nigerians are not yet aware of the benefits of mining,” he said.
Urging the general public to endeavour to be part of the 2-day event, the Minister said as part of the strategies towards wooing foreign and local investors to the sector in order to harness its potentials, in the short term investors will be allowed to import equipment free and also maintain 100 per cent ownership of their investment.
He said a multitude of investors who were invited from across the globe had indicated interest to be in attendance at this year’s mining week.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed Kankara expressed gratitude to all stakeholders including sponsors, exhibitors and conference speakers for their supportive roles over the years.
Highlighting the benefits of the event, he said, “The Mining Week, which has become the signature event of the Nigeria Mining Industry, has contributed in raising global to the huge potentiality of the nation’s mineral endowments with a view to attracting local and foreign investments to transform them into national wealth.
“There is no doubting the fact that the event has midwives some conversations and investment profiles.”
Speaking earlier, Director and Head of the mining industry in Nigeria for Pricewatercooper House (PwC) which is a consultant to the ministry on the mining week, Habeeb Jaiyeola, said the focus of this year’s mining week is to establish why investors should come to the Nigerian mining sector.
He outlined the various sessions lined up for the programme to include: round-table with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of mining-related companies; showcasing the extent of mineral exploration Nigeria has achieved; formalization process of artisanal mining among others.
The Mining Week is a platform for all the mining stakeholders and influencers in the public and private sectors wanting to do business in the Nigerian mining sector which is hosted by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) and organised by MAN, in collaboration with PwC and Clarion Events Africa.
