By NGOZI Onyeakusi

The President/Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has described Nigeria as the best market to invest in the world.

Speaking at the Special Day of the Group at the Abuja International Trade Fair, in Abuja, Dangote stated that a cursory review of our economic history as a nation, reveals that we are currently facing some challenges that led to the recession

Represented by Group Executive Customer Development, Dangote Flour Mills, Mr. Garba El-Suleiman, he assured that the government has been exploring different ways of rejuvenating the economy and the role of the private sector is quite critical in this regard.
“Dangote Group has been playing this role and has invested in the different sectors of the economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs both across the country and in some African countries.
“ President of the Group, Aliko Dangote believes that Nigeria remains the best place to invest in the world. It is in this light that the Group is leading the way with huge investments in the various sectors.
“For instance, we have made huge investments in the cement sector, leading Nigeria to achieving self-sufficiency in cement production, and also becoming a net importer of the commodity.
El-Suleiman reiterated that Dangote is planning investments of $4.6billion in agriculture in areas such as rice, sugar, tomatoes, dairy and wheat cultivation and that the ongoing construction of a multi-billion dollar world-class oil and gas refinery/petrochemicals/fertilizer complex in Lekki, Lagos, is further attestation to Dangote’ commitment to the nation’s economic development.
He said, Abuja International Trade Fair will further help to attract more investments to Nigeria, through networking opportunities that it creates. “As a matter of fact, the theme of this year’s Fair, which is: ‘Returning Nigeria to the Path of Sufficiency Through Non-Oil Exports,’ is apt for Nigeria’s transformation.
“Our participation in the fair is to showcase and create awareness for our products, and for the people in the FCT to know what we are doing in the different sectors. At our stand, we have a variety of products. We have Dangote Flour, Dangote Salt, Dangote Sugar, our popular DanQ seasoning, loved by women for their delicious meals, our recently improved non-sticky, Dangote Pasta Excellente, and other products.
El-Suleiman commended the Executive Committee, Council Members, partners and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), for organising the Fair and giving organisations the opportunity to showcase their products.
Meanwhile, Dangote’s iconic performances in major sectors of the Nigerian economy, have earned him a Platinum certificate at the on-going Abuja International Trade Fair.
The in-coming president of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (ACCI) Mr. Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, who issued the certificate of award to Dangote Group on Friday, in Abuja, said Dangote is one of the most diversified Conglomerate in Africa and stands tall amongst others.
Kayode was speaking during the Special Day ceremony of Dangote Group at the on-going fair.
He said Nigeria is proud of the foremost indigenous industrialist.
“Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that we are proud of. We call on other Nigerians, with capacity to make a difference to emulate him.
“This is the first time in the history of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry that a Platinum certificate is being given”. He said.
The benchmark certification, Kayode further said, is in recognition of the milestone achievement of Aliko particularly in Cement manufacturing particulareading to transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of Cement.
The Chamber said it would welcome initiatives and innovations of Dangote Group or any other organisation greared towards reviving the economy.
Aliko Dangote, expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying as a world-class organisation, the Group exists to serve and satisfy the people, and indeed, Africa to attain self-sufficiency in the production of basic commodities such as rice, sugar, salt.
The President/CE said, the Group’s mission is to touch the lives of the people by providing their basic needs and to also complement Government efforts in growing the economy, in the process