The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal has promised to do all within his powers to ensure that the Nigeria House In Rio Olympics project succeeds in its quest to sell Nigeria to the world through the Olympics in Brazil.
The SGF described the project as an important one revealing that because of the importance of the Nigeria House and his desire to ensure its success he ensured the presence of seven permanent secretaries within the government of the federation at the meeting.
Lawal spoke when some members of the Committee of Nigeria House In Rio Olympics led by its Project Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Abdullahi paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja. The SGF had stepped to take his seat for the meeting when a call from the Presidential Villa came in for him to attend to an urgent state matter. He was then represented by his Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Mohammed Bukar.
“You can see the importance the SGF attaches to the Nigeria House In Rio Olympics Project with the presence of seven powerful permanent secretaries in this meeting. This is to tell you the seriousness that the SGF attaches to the Nigeria House In Rio Olympics Project. I can assure you that the SGF will do all within his powers to ensure that the project is a huge success in the overall interest of Nigeria. With me here are Permanent Secretaries, Political Affairs Office, Ambassador Olakunle Bambgose, Economic Affairs Office, Mr Alo Williams, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr Roy Ugo, Special Services Office, Amb. Aminu Nabegu, Ecological Funds, Mohammed Abbas and Special Duties, Mrs Phyllis Nwokedi.” Bukar said.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds, Mohammed Abbas, said the project is a huge assignment good for the image of the country since it aims at showcasing our nation to the entire world in a setting like the Olympics where millions will converge including big business interests. “This assignment to showcase our country to the entire world at the Olympics and yet stand out is huge and calls for inter-ministerial collaboration and participation within the relevant and critical sectors mapped out. For instance, there is a need for the Ministry of Trade and Investment to really get involved since the project is aimed at bringing in investment.”
Project Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria House In Rio Olympics Project, Mohammed Abdullahi had told the SGF that the committee was set up by the minister of youth and sports development, Solomon Dalung with the sole aim of marketing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and investment opportunities to the entire world through the Olympics gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He said the International Olympics Committee in its wisdom gave countries the nod to use the world’s biggest sporting event as an avenue for nations to showcase their countries and market their potentials for would be investors. He said other notable nations like Nigeria also have on ground their houses in a move to showcase their nations.
