Mr. Olakunle Aderemi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Global Ethics UK Ltd, the organiser of Foreign Direct Investment Opportunity in Nigeria (FODION) Exhibition an annual event which takes place every August in London, United Kingdom. The event brings together captains of industries, investors and manufacturers, governments and diplomats across the world to showcase the potentials in Nigeria and place the country as a hub and destination for their next investments. He spoke on the idea behind FODION and its ability to generate employment. Moses John brings the details:
FODION has almost becomes a slogan among the business community in United Kingdom (UK), even though it is a Nigerian concept. What is FODION all about?
FODION is a platform for Nigerian Businesses, to link up with foreign partners, funders and technical partners, under an Exhibition platform in London, annually.
The London, business community as well as Europe, have caught the FODION bug and Nigeria is gradually coming into it as well. Nigeria is a country where every serious business man around the world, wants to go and do business because of the huge potentials it provides with its vast population. We, at Global Ethics create that opportunity for them through FODION and it has been a success and has placed Nigeria on the growing global business platform .
You talked about Global Ethics, what is the link between the two, FODION and Global Ethics?
Global Ethics UK Ltd, is the Umbrella Company, that organises FODION yearly in the United Kingdom. Global Ethnics UK Ltd, is a Public Relations, Marketing & Events Management Company.
What is the nature of your activities and which area do you cover?
FODION covers all sectors of business economy and also Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) which drives the economy. From Real Estate to Minning, Oil & Gas, Construction & Engineering to Pharmaceutical & Manufacturing.
Can you give an insight to some of the events you have organised and how it benefits Nigeria?
We organised FINANCE Nigeria in 2013, a talk shop, where we had a former Nigeria Finance Minister, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the guest of honour. One of the major events we have organised is FODION 2014, where we had the current governors of Akwa Ibom and Anambra States, as guests in 2014. Global Ethnics UK Ltd, also in conjunction with the Nigeria High Commission, London, organised a Centenary Event to mark Nigeria Centenary in 2014.
The London FODION 2014 was a huge business exhibition, which took place at The Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, Central London, where many Nigeria business potentials were exhibited with lectures on areas of business opportunities in Nigeria.
I could remember very well that Lycamobile, one of the most popular GSM providers in Europe was at the exhibition last year and after seeing the potentials of Nigeria as a people and country, the service provider is seriously considering moving to Nigeria market. You know what this will bring to Nigeria, talk of economic and employment generation. In fact, majority of Nigerians in UK use that network to call Nigeria because it has special package for us and it is very cheap.
What group of people, businesses, companies is the concept designed for?
FODION Exhibition is designed for all cadre of decision makers in businesses and government. From SME, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to Managing Directors, State Governors, Heads of Investment agencies (Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Niger Delta Development Commission, etc), Insurance Companies, Oil & Gas. In reality, it is also for any business man or woman who is keen to seriously expand his/her business. To show that there is an opportunity out there.
Again, foreign Businesses, always prefer a neutral environment to kickstart preliminary discussion before flying into Nigeria to continue discussion, they need and want the reassurance of their safety, safety of their investments and understanding the processes and procedure of how things work in Nigeria, which is quite different from the rest of the world.
Do you have government involvement or is it purely private driven?
The Nigeria High Commission, London & UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), have been offering us support over the years.
When are you having the next event and who are the likely participants in terms of commitment?
We are actually awaiting confirmation from government agencies that we have approached, and the Chambers of Commerce & Industries as well. Some state governments have been approached too, we are waiting for their confirmation.
FODION 2015, will take place on August 13 and 14, at The Park Plaza Hotel, Central London. It is a 2-day event. However, we have confirmed attendance from car manufacturing companies in Sweden and China, as well as some other businesses from India, UK, Russia. Even, businesses in some other African countries have indicated interest to attend. We just confirmed Mexico, this week, will be attending.
Employment is one of the critical problem factors in Nigeria, do you see your effort as one way of creating jobs in Nigeria?
Yes, like I spoke of Lycamobile, which attended last year’s exhibition, and thinking of coming to Nigeria.
If at the end of the day we get them to Nigeria, can you imagine the number of jobs that will bring directly and indirectly. FODION, by bringing businesses into Nigeria, will create job opportunities for Nigerians and we expect that a minimum of 10, 000 Nigerians will be employed as a result of FODION 2015. Businesses, will be set up, Regional Offices as well as outlets will be opened.
We have new government in Nigeria, which areas of the economy will you suggested it to focus?
The Nigerian economy, should focus more on SMEs and make Banks to give out loans to businesses and collaborate more with investment agencies driving investments into Nigeria. Oil and Gas, shouldn’t be our focus. Agriculture should be Nigeria’s priority to develop as a world leader.
The government must consider something like the farm settlements as done by the Late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the First Republic. The settlements should be provided with all facilities and infrastructures found in the major cities to make it habitable.
