Mkpoikana Udoma
04 November 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has secured the partnership of the world’s leading business newspaper, Financial Times, in promoting the Rivers State’s brand and her investment opportunities on the global stage.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Social Media, Mr. Oraye St. Franklyn.
Franklyn in the statement said Governor Wike during the visit sought and received the partnership of Financial Times of London in driving business opportunities in Rivers State.
The statement recalled that the governor has been abroad since this week, where he received the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award on Monday, from the Global Forum on Human Settlements, GFHS, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme.
According to the statement, “The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, today led a delegation of top government functionaries to the corporate headquarters of the Financial Times in Southwark Bridge, London, United Kingdom.
“The governor during the visit opened talks and secured the partnership of the world’s leading business publication in both promoting the Rivers State’s brand and her investment opportunities on the global stage.
“Governor Wike was received on arrival at Financial Times’ headquarters in London by Mr. Mark Carwardine, Commercial Director, Africa and The Middle East and Larry Kenny, Sales Manager for Africa and the Middle East.”
The statement also said the governor used the opportunity of the visit to ask for greater international spotlight on Nigeria, due to the failing nature of her democracy, which according to him was undermining development and investment opportunities in the country.
“Another area of our interest has to do with the survival of democracy in Nigeria, we can’t talk about investment when we don’t have democracy.
“Investments can only thrive when institutions are strengthened and not weakened.
“We believe that with what is happening in Nigeria today, if people don’t speak out, democracy may not survive,” governor Wike was quoted in the statement.
Franklyn in the statement further stated that, “Mark Carwardine in his response, commended the Governor for his visit and assured him of Financial Times’ collaboration with the Rivers State Government in promoting its investment opportunities and brand, while acknowledging the political challenges of Nigeria.”