The fourth edition of The Africa Regional Journal (TARJ) Forum and Trade Fair opened at the Epic Sana in the Angolan Capital, Luanda on November 19, 2022.
The event which was held under the theme : the significance of Unity in diversity in the Integration of Africa, was aimed at exhibiting and promoting made in Africa products and businesses through the integration of Africa business and trade whiles connecting companies , firms and investors on the continent and beyond.
Several products from Africa such as clothing’s, mechanical and chemical elements as well as medical and electronic products were displayed during the exhibition and awards ceremony. The event served as a platform for business developers, business owners, entrepreneurs and investors on the continent and the world over to showcase their products and services in their quest to promote trade and economic development in Africa and across the globe.
In her welcome remarks, the publisher of the West African Regional Magazine and The African Regional Journal, Ambassador Rossette Aliu Squire said there is a need for Africa to identify its unique talents and be deliberate about celebrating irrespective of their countries, race or age.
Mrs Aliu Squire lauded the significant contributions of Governor Udom Emmanuel in putting his state on the African development map and investing in huge beneficial projects for the future of his state and the African region.
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel was honoured as the sub-National Governor with the best economic blueprint in Africa, with a call that other sub-nations in Africa emulate his leadership and development drive. The call was made by the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Prof Monique Ekpong, while presenting the 2022 African Regional Magazine Awards to the Akwa Ibom State Governor in Angola.
Prof. Ekpong said she is proud with the accomplishments of Governor Udom Emmanuel which has made the State one of the best destinations in Nigeria. “I don’t just commend Governor Emmanuel for his achievements because of the video clip we just watched, but as one who has passed through the state and has seen these projects personally”, Prof Ekpong said, adding that as a Nigerian she is proud of the Akwa Ibom Story.
Receiving the award, Governor Udom Emmanuel maintained that he is changing the narrative of development in Akwa Ibom by turning the status of the state from a civil service hub into an economic hub and a preferred investment destination.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, the Governor said he is making development sustainable through industrialization and infrastructural expansion.
This, the Governor’s aide maintained, “Was realized through his initial Five-Point governing document of Job Creation, Infrastructural Consolidation and Expansion, Poverty Alleviation, Economic and Political Inclusion and Wealth Creation, which today has been condensed into the 8-Point Completion Agenda”.
Mr Ndueso insisted that the Governor in realizing that the key drivers of industrialization are the quality of infrastructure on the ground and, of course, peace and security, embarked on the strategic and careful plans to provide world-class infrastructure through economically viable roads, development of the Ibom Seaport Project and the spectacular innovations in the aviation sector.
“Ibom Air started with three CRJ 900 Bombardier aircrafts and under a year, increased the fleet to five and earlier last year, added two new Airbus A220- 300 series, thus bringing the fleet to 7. As we speak, two more A320 Airbuses are now in the country and would soon join the fleet of the state owned airline”.
He noted that the State now has a network of massive roads, and numerous industries and the engagements of youths in these industries and other emerging economic ventures have occasioned the success of the fight against youth restiveness.
Speaking on the theme of the 2022 African Regional Journal Fair, Mr Ndueso said that the diversity of the African continent should not be a source of division and hatred among Africans, insisting that greedy and selfish leaders attempt to play on the emotions of the gullible populace to instigate religious, ethnic and racial wars.
He maintained that with the right leadership, and sound institutional framework, the African continent has what it takes to be truly independent after several decades of freedom from colonialists.
“During the colonial era, respective African countries united to fight against the evil of imperialism and lamented that diversity are used as instruments by leaders to create artificial instability.
He urged participants at the fair to take back to their respective countries, the message of peace and unity as a panacea to lift the continent from its present situation.
In the delegation from Akwa Ibom State, was the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Aniekeme Finbarr who received an award on behalf of the State as the 2022 Most Progressive Sub Nation in Africa.
He later presented copies of Impact Magazine, a publication of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information and Strategy, to guests at the event.
The event was also used to recognise and reward achievers and business leaders in trade, commerce, finance, health, energy among others his excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike , River state Governor in Nigeria and .a representative of the Angolan Formula 1 circuit driver , Pinto De Andrade were honoured amongst the 100 inspiring individuals in Africa . in a statement, the race driver thanked the organisers of the event for the recognition. The event was also graced by the UNI-Control LLC, a sustainable project development think tanks represented Mr Gabriel Ngendabanga, and the director of COGRIBU LTD, Rwanda. The company proposed funding for infrastructure development in Africa, including building seaport, refineries among others in Africa.
Engineer NGENDABANGA Gabriel is a representative of UNICONTROL in Africa. Uni Control LLC is one of the groups London based Sustainable fund arrangement established to provide Capital Market finance for Angola Projects, covered by a Sovereign Guarantee from the Government.
Through the establishment of a consortium via a Development Fund, Uni-Control eliminates the classic fault lines and conflicts that typically arise related to financing and project development work in the developing world. The firm provides a true winning strategy for Angola to secure low-cost lending for high quality projects, with the least possible troubles. Our Fund and Consortium idea focusses on “eliminating risk” while promoting sustainable solutions and innovation to get the best most effective and efficient technologies to the market.
They include, Dr, Yaw Osei, Adutwum, Minister of Education, Ghana, Dr Kwabena Dufuor, Former Finance minister, Former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and currently Chief executive of HODA Holdings and aspiring presidential candidate. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , former Vice President of Nigeria, and currently Flagbearer , people’s Democratic Party of Nigeria , H.E. Augustine Weah, former UN Official and Founder, Gus Group of Companies. , James , Samia Suluho, President of Tanzania, President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana ,Montanana, CEO Datatec, South Africa, Babagana , Sumara Zulum, governor of Zamfara state , Nigeria , Dr Arikana Chihiombori-Quao, Zimbabwean Medical doctor and Activist based in the united states of America, Margaret Chuba Okadigbo, Chairperson of the NNPC board in Nigeria , Marian Chabi Talata, Vice President of the Republic of Benin, Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor of Nigeria, Medhat Khalil, founder, Raya Holdings of Egypt , Alan Kwadwo Kyeremateng , Minister of Trade and Industry , Ghana , Abdirashid Duale, founder Dahabshiil , Somalia, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential Aspirant, Nigeria . The Angolan Secretary of State , Mr Nunu Dos Anjos Caldas Albino was honoured for transforming the media landscape in Angola and High Chief Michael Onuoha.
Others include Mr Issah Jere Idris , CG Nigeria Immigration service, for the transformation in the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Sina Gerald, founder of Urwibutso, Enterprise, Rwanda, Madam Aisha Farida Katagun , former GED, corporate Services, NNPC, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Chairman and CEO AFDIN GROUP Nigeria Limited, Tini N’Gunu, CEO Emerald Group Angola, Madam Victoire Temegah Dogbe, Prime Minister of Togo, Vera Esperanca Dis Santos Daves, Finance Minister of Angola ,Peter Obi, Flagbearer of the Labour Party of Nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Executive Governor Delta state of Nigeria , Madam Maria DA Conceicao de oliveira, Veloso, founder of Harpa Association, Angola, Chile Eboe Osuji- former president ICC from Nigeria, Amina J Mohammed, Nigerias 5th Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. Mele Kolo Kyari, GMD, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Makhtar Diop, MD and executive Vice President IFC Senegal, RT. Honourable Chibudo Nwuche, former Deputy speaker of the Nigeria, Natioanl Assembly, Tedros Alhanom Director General , World Health Organization, MacDonald Wento, politician, business man from Liberia , Dr Ignace Niyigaba, a Rwandan business mogul among others.
Corporations honoured include, Urwibutso Enterprise, Rwanda, DERPCAMU limited, Rwanda, Global Spectrum Energy Services Limited Nigeria, Joy Industry Limited, for Vikil Products, Tang Palace hotel among others