By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)-Transcorp Hilton Abuja Nigeria has emerged as the official hotel and hospitality partner of the 24th World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) to be held for the first time in Nigeria.
This is coming on the heels of the announcement of the world economic forum from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to the WEF, the three (3) day event, scheduled from May 7-10, 2014, is expected to draw over 700 participants from more than 40 countries to the host city Abuja, to discuss the continent’s integration agenda and a renewed commitment to sustainable growth and development.
WEF said delegates will include regional and global leaders from business, government and civil society.
According to Valentine Ozigbo, managing director/chief executive officer (MD/CEO) of Transnational Hotels & Tourism Services Limited, which runs the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and is partly owned by Tony Elumelu’s proprietary investment company, Heirs Holdings, the hotel was unanimously selected after a diligent evaluation of Nigeria’s hotels’ facilities and services by a special team from WEF.
Ozigbo affirmed that Transcorp Hilton won the hospitality ticket due to its track record of successfully hosting international conferences and events, coupled with its world class facilities and vintage Hilton quality standard of service delivery.
“Transcorp Hilton has a proud history of successfully hosting high profile international events and we are honoured to be the official host of the 24th edition of WEFA. The forum presents an unprecedented opportunity for Nigeria to make a strong business case as Africa’s investment destination of choice, while showcasing our rich culture and tourism potential,†he said.
Prior to this time, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance of Nigeria, had announced that Nigeria would host WEFA at the 23rd WEF held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2012.
According to WEF, in preparation for the 2014 program, a team of the local committee led by Frank Nweke met with the MD and member of Governing Board of WEF, Borge Brende last week to discuss plans for a successful hosting of WEFA 2014 in Abuja.
Nweke affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure world class preparations and deliver a great WEFA 2014.
On his part, Brende expressed the excitement of his team and the optimism shared by their members who are looking forward to a great showing in Abuja.
Also, Elsie Kanza, the Director for Africa at the WEF is expected to lead her team this week to Abuja to continued preparations and stakeholder engagement for a successful hosting.
Nweke thanked the WEF team and promised that his team is ready to host the world.
He further affirmed that plans are in top gear to make WEFA 2014 in Abuja a remarkable event and a greater opportunity for foreign investors willing to do business in Nigeria.
