By John Ikani
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is set to lead a delegation of 38 prominent businessmen and industry leaders to participate in the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference, taking place in New Delhi, India.
The event is a collaborative effort between the Nigerian High Commission in India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC), with President Tinubu slated to address the gathering.
Among the notable members of this delegation are Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group; Femi Otedola, Chairman of the Femi Otedola Foundation; Chidi Ajaere, Chairman/CEO of the GIG Group; and Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Ahmed Sule, has formally requested entry visas for these eminent businessmen and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in a letter addressed to the Indian High Commission in Abuja.
The letter, titled ‘Request for appropriate entry visas to members of the Nigerian private sector to enable them to attend the Presidential Roundtable and Conference at Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi, on September 6, 2023,’ outlines the purpose and significance of their visit.
In his letter, Ambassador Sule states, “I write to inform you that the following members of the Nigerian Private sector will be travelling to New Delhi to attend the Nigeria-India Presidential roundtable and conference, organized by the High Commission in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC) and to be addressed by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The distinguished business leaders listed in the letter include Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman/President of Dangote Group; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman/Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation; Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman/Founder of BUA Group; Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman/Founder of Femi Otedola Foundation; Mr. Kola Karim, GMD/CEO of Shoreline Natural Resources; Hajiya Bola Shagaya, Founder/CEO of Balmus Group International; Mrs. Folurunsho Alakija, GMD of The Rose of Sharon Group; and Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Chairman/CEO of Oriental Energy Resources Ltd.
Other notable attendees include Sir Emeka Offor, CEO of Chrome Group; Chief Razak Akanni Okoya, Director of Eleganza Industrial City Ltd; Prince Arthur Eze, CEO of Atlas Oronto Petroleum Ltd; Mr. Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace; Mr. Cosmas Maduka, President & Chairman of Coscharis Group Ltd; Alhaji Dr. Musbahu Mohammed Bashir of Althani Group of Companies; Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc; Dr. Oritsedere Otubu, Chairman of EKEDC; Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CEO of Oando; Mr. Gbenga Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave (FinTech); Olamide Diekola Aina of Venture Platform (FinTech); Mitchel Elegbe, CEO of Interswitch (FinTech); Idris Bamidele Saliu of Ceviant Finance (Tech); Dr. Fidealis Ayebae of Fidson Healthcare Plc; Dr. Okey Okoli of SKG Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd; and Dr. Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Completing the delegation are Mr. Tosin Jolayemi of Daily Need Industries Limited; Seun Omobo of Eko Pharmacy Limited; Mr. Patrick Ajah of May & Baker Nigeria Ltd; Mr. Bayo Odugbemi of McOLIVIA Limited; Dr. Monica Eimunjeze of Dedoo Bio Plus Pharmaceutical Ltd; Affiong Williams, Founder/CEO of Reelfruit; Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, CEO & MD of The Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria; and Abdulfatai Yahaya, CEO of Kursi Investment Ltd.
In addition to his participation in the Nigeria-India Presidential roundtable and conference, President Tinubu has received a special invitation to attend the upcoming G-20 Summit in New Delhi, scheduled to take place between September 9 and 10.
