By ABDUL OLALEKAN
The Nigerian London Business Forum has lambasted British Prime Minister, David Cameron, for describing Nigeria as a country that is ‘fantastically corrupt’.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the forum, situated in United Kingdom (UK),Danette Gayle, in a statement over the weekend, said Cameron’s statement was not only unfortunate but effectively capable of hurting the much needed trade and investment relationships which the two countries (Nigeria and London) are seriously canvassing.
According to the body, “As a trade and investment association committed to promoting bilateral trade relations between the two countries, and in recognition of the frantic effort which the forum has embarked on in the past four years resulting in bringing together British and Nigerian investors including business men and women with a view to strengthening business and investment relationship, we consider Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement as not only unfortunate but effectively capable of hurting the much needed trade and investment relationships which the two countries are seriously canvassing.”
Just as the effort of the Forum to influence the negative mind set and perception of British Investors and potential business partners about Nigeria is beginning to yield good fruit, it said such statement was not expected from the Number One citizen of the United Kingdom.
Gayle added that while the Prime Minister has tactically withdrawn and regretted his comments, the Nigerian London Business Forum wishes to state categorically that the present administration of the Nigerian Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was running a very responsible government with strong purpose, capable of turning around Nigeria as a nation to reckon with economically and politically.
The Forum, in the statement equally signed by its Nigeria’s Country Director, Prof. Chris Onalo, however, charged British investors and suppliers of products and services to their Nigerian partners as well as Nigerian infrastructure project promoters and others that, rather than see the UK and Nigeria relationship taking a nose dive as a result of David Cameron’s comment; such comments should rather serve as an instrument capable of bringing the two countries leadership to a roundtable discussion which in the long run will pave way for a better relationship between the two countries; a relationship that will be based on equal respect, that will open greater doors in trade and investment relations, as well as removal of barriers that are currently standing against such openness.
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