U.S. business summit propounds ways to stimulate growth in Nigeria

• By Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri on October 14, 2015

A two–day business summit organised by Humanity for Africa Foundation (HFAF), in collaboration with Merit Global Enterprises, all based in Newark, New Jersey, the United States, with about 256 participants has ended in the Newark, New Jersey, with the resolve to establish a sister city programme liaising between Abuja and Newark to explore business opportunities.
According to a statement by the President of Humanity for Africa, Innocent Okemezie, the participants resolved that the replication of the sister state initiatives in business opportunities of the G2G and B2B was germane.
Okemezie, welcoming the participants, charged them to explore the opportunity of the summit to discuss strategic partnership in the field of commerce and industry and other areas of cooperation to foster business relationship between Abuja and
Newark city, adding that a collaborative stance in the proposed Humanity for Africa 2016 International Trade and Investment summit in Newark, should also be given a serious thought.
In the summit moderated by the Newark Council President, Mildred C. Crump; and attended by the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tony Chidi Ejinkoyne; the Deputy Mayor, City of Newark, Ugochukwu Nwaokoro; Mayor Ras J. Baraka; the President, Newark Chamber of Commerce, Chip Hallock; the President and chief Executive Officer (CEO), Merit Global Enterprises, Jose Rodriguez; its Vice President, Foday Mansaray; the President and CEO, Sand A, E Learning Technology, Peter Schmitz; the President and Chief Executive Officer, Cell Podium Mobile, Cesar Babdera; the President and CEO, Cyber Extruders, and a Nigeria expert, Dr. Akin Awofolaju, among others, the following resolutions were resolved after brainstorming sessions:
To establish Sister City Programme between Abuja and Newark, the Council President, Mildred Crump and Deputy Mayor, Ugochukwu Nwaokoro accepted to handle the side of Newark administration, while Mr. Ejinkeonye will be working with the Political Head of Abuja when it is appointed.
Business experts that participated at the meeting should prepare proposals on Asset Management for Nigeria Defence Ministry, small scale and medium enterprises in Telecommunications, Security for Banking and Finance, Mobile Networking: The future of money remittances, Food Security utilising hydroponics and aquaponics in Urban African setting, water purification and health education, biogas generated electricity, manufacturing, mining and other small enterprises for Abuja, Nigeria
That the Nigerian government through Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry should create enabling environment for American entrepreneurs coming to invest
Business groups to provide and promote enterprises that will engage women to be jointly executed by Newark and Abuja Chamber
Newark Regional Business Partnership to arrange a larger meeting with business organisations within its region and beyond for greater benefit of Newark and Abuja
A joint committee of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Humanity for Africa Foundation, City of Newark, Merit Global Enterprises, Newark Regional Business Partnership and the African Commission to be appointed to work on the 2016 International Trade and Investment Summit in Newark
A joint Committee of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Humanity for Africa Foundation, City of Newark, Merit Global Enterprises, Newark Regional Business Partnership and the African Commission should be appointed to organise Trade Missions and Trade Fairs
Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry through the President, Tony Ejinkeonye to take up the establishment of Nigerian Village in Newark in view of the growing Nigerian immigrant population in New Jersey.