The duo of Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu co-hosted a bi-partisan delegation of the US Congressional members who are on a working visit in the country to a US-Nigeria business luncheon.
TheNewsGuru reports the US Congressional members present at the business luncheon are Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Senator Gary Peters, Senator Michael Bennet, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Rep. Charlie Dent.
The parties discussed cross-border investment opportunities between the US and Nigeria, as well as important business enhancing policies to enable private sector growth.
“The US and Nigeria share a lot in common: We are both Federal Republics. We are multi-faith, multi-ethnic, liberal, progressive, and full of entrepreneurial drive and energy. Our youth are multi talented and some of the most gifted in the world.
“Here at home, our young entrepreneurs are finding solutions to challenges not just facing Africa, but the entire world.
“I believe in business and entrepreneurship, and that the future of our continent to a large extent, lies in the hands of our young entrepreneurs,” Elumelu said at the meeting.
Senator Chris Coons, who led the US Congressional members at the business luncheon, said Nigerians in the United States are the most numerous, most educated and most successful.
“Nigeria is a young democracy. It takes time to get it completely right. Nigeria and the United States share similar values, aspire to similar dreams, and strive through similar challenges.
“Working together can empower our vibrant and hopeful young people whose ideas and creative solutions will help make our world a better place,” Coons said.
Elumelu went further to say the American delegation visited Nigeria not just to meet the business titans, but to feel the entrepreneurial zeal and pulse of our country, to engage with the young leaders of Nigeria and other creative young entrepreneurs transforming our country and continent, one idea at a time.
“Our youth demography is like no other – over 30 million banked, mobile and plugged in, forming one of the most desirable and creative clusters of young people in the world.
“But we owe these young people sustained support and access to opportunities.
“We should strive to empower them to create innovative products and services, and enable them generate their own durable wealth and create employment.
“Above all, we must remember that poverty anywhere is a threat to mankind everywhere.
“To prevent our demographic boom from turning to doom, we must build cross border partnerships that prioritize our youth.
“I was happy to host these US policymakers, and I look forward to a future where we engage in meaningful collaboration to support our young ones,” Elumelu further stated.