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Jonathan seeks private sector’s support for centenary project

By on March 18, 2013

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined chieftains of the organised private sector to support the Nigerian Centenary Project, especially the celebrations designed around the key concepts of unity, indivisibility, virility, progress and promise of the Nigerian Federation.

Speaking at a special dinner, which he hosted for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of major companies operating in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, Jonathan opined that the support of corporate Nigeria is important to the successful hosting of the year long activities marking the centenary celebrations.

The support of the corporate chieftains, he noted, is all the more essential since The Nigerian Centenary Project will not attract any funds from the government but will be entirely financed by the organized private sector.

Jonathan emphasised that the involvement of the private sector in the project was a demonstration of his government’s confidence in the sector.

He added that the Federal Government wishes to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, with the development of a new city in Abuja to be called “Abuja Centenary City”.

He disclosed that beside the centenary city, which would provide all the facilities that Nigerians travel out of the country to go and enjoy abroad, unity squares would also built in all state capitals to add to their beauty.

According to him, “the private sector should take the lead in realising this our national aspiration. Your support will identify you and your brand with national success. We are encouraging a citizen driven commemorative event that will replace negative narrative of the nation with a story of a blessed nation”.

At the forum, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim disclosed that with the subscription of $100 million as the capital call for the centenary city plans are underway to ensure its listing on the Nigeria and London Stock Exchanges.

According to Anyim, “it is the desire of the promoters of the city that in the nearest future, the stock of the city would be quoted on the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges”.

He noted that the production of the city’s final master plan was at advanced stage while foremost consultants, Price Waterhouse Coopers had been appointed financial consultants for the project. Anyim noted that frontline advertising agency, DDB, Lagos has been appointed the official marketer of the centenary activities while Sterling Partnership was appointed the legal consultant.

“The entire celebration is planned to be investment driven such that nobody should put in a kobo without getting value for it”, he said.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala assured that government is taking necessary steps through the formulation of appropriate policies to ensure that the discernable growth in the private sector is sustained.

 

 

 

[Guardian]