New York, September 27, 2007--The Nigeria President Musa Yar’Adua has appealed to the American business community to invest in infrastructural development in Nigeria to boost the country's economic growth. "Investments in infrastructure will enable business to thrive, jobs to be created and reduce poverty and other social ills. We are currently putting in place the necessary framework for business to thrive in Nigeria and for foreign investors to engage in viable ventures." said President Yar’Adua in New York.

President Yar’Adua meets the world: From left: President Umaru Yar'Adua; Mr. Robert Zoellick, World Bank President; and Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President (Africa); after meeting in New York.

This appeal was made on Monday September 24, 2007 at a business forum organized by ThisDay Newspapers titled: "Nigeria Meets The World: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities."

He said that structural reforms were being carried out to meet national and global challenges. He also assured foreign investors that his administration had zero tolerance for corruption and respect for the rule of law to enable Nigeria prospers in all spheres of human endeavor.

The forum brought together Americans and Nigerian business leaders men and women, some state governors, top government officials, bankers, development partners, foreign investors and members of the diplomatic corps.

The forum had four plenary sessions which centered on economy, electoral reforms, the Niger Delta and the Lagos Mega city project.

On leadership, Yar'Adua said his concept on it is based on what he called "Servant-Leader". He charged leaders "to always deliver services, add value and discharge their responsibilities in an honest manner".

Attempt to lure Nigeria First Lady in scandal fails

Nigeria First Lady, Mrs. Turai Umaru Yar’Adua

Meanwhile, there was indication that Nigeria and United States governments may have voided attempt to lure Nigeria First Lady, Mrs. Hajia Turai Yar’Adua to a questionable event organized by questionable characters at Millennium Plaza Hotel in New York on September 24, 2007.

A group formed by a female socialite known to stalk mostly Nigerian government officials visiting United States may have organized un-authorized and un-approved reception for the Nigeria First Lady in the hotel.

Africans In America News Watch investigation reveals that security reports by Nigeria and US intelligence on the organizers may have informed the core reason the Nigeria First Lady stayed away from the event.

It has to be recalled that the same individual had attempted to scheme large sum of money from Africans In America, Inc. in February/March 2007 using the names and pictures taken with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and senior officials of Nigeria and United States governments. That attempt failed due to sharp wit of the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc., Mr. Bonaventure Ezekwenna.

The socialite is known to make bogus and unsubstantiated claims of businesses expertise in the production and sales of Nigerian Oil, Gas and other Hydrocarbons and their by-products. “We carry out the business of producers’ stockers, suppliers and distributors of petroleum and petroleum products. We are experts in small scale processing on bentonite for bleaching, lubricating oil and waxes and in the manufacture of drilling mud for raw materials research. We render services in the area of Environmental Engineering Studies, Exploration, Drilling and Technical Consultancy and Petroleum Operations, Engineering involvement in air and industrial pollution control through environmental impact assessment. Destruction and reforming processes in petroleum refinery engineering.
Modelling of Chemical reaction systems. Petroleum reservoir and Environmental engineering studies.” just to mention only a few.

Africans In America News Watch contacted officials of the Nigeria Consulate and Mission to the United Nations for their reactions. Those that responded pleading anonymity stated, “Nigeria Consulate and Mission to the United Nations have open door policy and we could not stop anyone from whatever they want to do or from visiting our offices; however, when visiting officials and dignitaries ask us for advise, we will tell them what we know and they will make the final decision on what to do”.

Effort to get the US officials’ response was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, investigation may have begun to ascertain the reason the Nigeria Missions and Consulate in New York could allow the name of the First lady to be so used and abused by the questionable group without approval.