Zenith Bank Holds Global Economic Forum in New York Today

Alike Ejiofor

Zenith Bank Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, will today host the Zenith Global Economic Forum, with the theme “Nigeria Open for Business,” on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honour.

Over 1,000 institutions, including foreign direct investors, domestic and international business leaders are expected at the event, which will create an avenue for participants to articulate various ways of unlocking the business opportunities in Nigeria.

The event will commence with a welcome address by the Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia.

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will be the chairman of Session 1 with the theme, “The Importance of Infrastructure in Facilitating Business Development,” which will be moderated by the Presenter, BBC Global Questions and Hard Talk, Zeinab Badawi, with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspaper, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, as co-Chair.

The speakers include: Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Godwin Emefiele; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; and President of Corporate Council on Africa, Florizer Liser.

Session 2 will also be moderated by Badawi with Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. John George Coumantaros, as Chairman/Speaker, and Chairman of Channels Media Group, Mr. John Momoh, as Co-Chair.

Speakers include: Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Chairman of Digital Africa, Dr. Evans Woherem; Chairman of Africa Initiative for Governance, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Ms. Yewande Sadiku; Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, and Executive Director of US-Nigeria Council, Mr. Eliot D. Pence.

At the end of Session 2, there will be a question and answer session, followed by an interactive session/comments, which will feature the Consular General of Nigeria to New York, Mr. Benaoyagha BM Okoyen; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjan Bande; Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Peter Amangbo; Deputy Managing of Zenith Bank, Ms. Adaora Umeoji; Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu; and Chief Growth Officer/Managing Director for Africa, Element Inc and Venture Partner, Lateral Capital, Ms. Barbara Iyayi.

Ovia will give the vote of thanks and closing remarks at the end of the programme.