By WILLIAM JIMOH

The Federal Government has  pledged its support for the High Level Investment and Business Summit on Nigeria taking place in London between July 30 and August 1, 2012.

The summit with the theme “Nigeria- the World’s Most Vibrant Market’’ is to be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan, And it is organized to ensure that Nigeria seizes the opportunity of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to link Nigerian entrepreneurs to the global economic system and project the country to the international community as one of the world’s best investment destinations.

The event that is being organized by the Bank of Industry, under the supervision of the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga is expected to feature over 350 delegates comprising businessmen, diplomats, government representatives, representatives of transnational corporations (TNCs), multinational organizations, international financial institutions, multilateral agencies and Nigeria’s leading international development partners from across the world.

Among Nigerian ministers that are expected to attend the business summit is the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Honorable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Trade and Investment Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Petroleum Minister, Mrs Deziani Allison Madueke,  others are the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji,  Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke as well as the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

A number of Governors including those of Anambra, Kogi, Niger, Delta, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti States will be attending the summit with a view to attracting foreign investors to their respective states.

Also Africa’s number one Industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Manufactures Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu, CEO , ECOBANK Group, Mr. Arnold Ekpe, former Group Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu and many private sector leaders have confirmed their participation at the summit.

Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella will lead the team of foreign dignitaries that include Mr. Stephen Jennings, CEO, Renaissance Capital and the Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mr. Jim O’Neill.

Meanwhile, The United Kingdom Trade and Investment Department and the Commonwealth Business Council are also collaborating with the Bank of Industry in putting together Nigeria’s High Level Investment Summit.