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By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday met with six different groups of investors at the sidelines of the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and urged them to invest in Nigeria in order to have handsome returns on their investments within the shortest possible time.
The investors are Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, Lulu Group, Sheikh Hussain Al Nowais, Sheikh Khalid Bin Kalban, Sheikh Ali Rashid Lootah, Sheikh Khalid Bin Kalban, Sheikh Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi and Mr Jitender Sachdeva, .
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum is a member of the Dubai ruling family. He is also a private investor and member of several boards of companies, both state owned and private. He is interested in establishing a power plant in Lagos, and studies have already been completed.
Lulu Group operates a chain of supermarkets in the Middle East and Asia. Mr Yusuff Alli, Chairman of the group, told the president that the outfit, with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, has over 164 supermarkets and shopping malls. It employs over 50,000 people. The interest is to work with Nigerian farmers, using local produce to ensure food security. Quality, affordability and hygiene are the watchwords of the company.
Sheikh Hussain Al Nowais is the chairman of Amea Power, a company that develops, owns and operates thermal and renewable energy projects in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Its wide range of power solutions include conventional – gas, coal, oil, and renewable – solar, wind and hydro. Apart from power, the company, which owns Rotana Hotel chain, is also interested in the hospitality sector in Nigeria.
Sheikh Ali Rashid Lootah is the chairman of Nakheel Properties and Limitless Group.
One of the world’s leading developers and a major contributor to Dubai’s real estate transformation, the company’s current and future retail project portfolio covers nearly 17 million square feet of leasable space. They are keen to expand their investments in Nigeria.
Sheikh Khalid Bin Kalban is the CEO of Dubai Investments. His meeting with the Nigerian president centred around real estate, processing industries, mergers and acquisitions, health care, education, and financial investments.
Sheikh Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi is the CEO of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has supported over 66 projects in 29 African countries. They include rural solar power and water projects.
Mr Jitender Sachdeva is the CEO Skipperseil Group. An integrated energy company with operations in the manufacturing of substation equipment, discussions were on engineering processing, construction of transmission lines and substations for utilities, institutions and industries. The company’s CEO expressed delight at meeting with the president, and looked forward to doing good business in Nigeria.
