House of Representatives Hopeful, RTN Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma Attends NCBC Event, Pledges to Help Constituents Tap Asian Opportunities
Oru Leonard
House of Representatives hopeful, RTN Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, has pledged to empower his constituents to take advantage of the enormous business, trade and investment opportunities available across Asia, particularly through Nigeria’s growing economic partnership with China.
Chief Nkem-Aruoma made the commitment after participating in the Nigeria-China Business Council (NCBC) Stakeholders Business Forum and Luncheon held in Abuja, where business leaders, investors, policymakers and government agencies gathered to explore new avenues for economic cooperation between Nigeria and China.
The forum, themed “From Trade to Transformation: Advancing Nigeria-China Business Strategic Economic Partnership for Sustainable Development,” focused on strengthening bilateral trade, attracting investments and promoting industrial development capable of creating jobs and reducing poverty.
Speaking after the event, Chief Nkem-Aruoma described the forum as an eye-opener, stressing that Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly youths and small business owners, must be strategically positioned to benefit from the expanding economic opportunities in China and other Asian markets.
He said that if elected into the Federal House of Representatives, he would champion initiatives that would expose his constituents (Ikwuano, Umuahia North & South Federal constituency) to international trade opportunities, business training, technology transfer programmes, investment partnerships and access to global markets.
“Our people must not be left behind in the emerging global economy. Asia presents enormous opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, education and commerce. I am committed to creating platforms that will connect our youths, entrepreneurs and investors with these opportunities for sustainable economic growth,” Aruoma said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Nigeria-China Business Council, Chief Jacob Wood, urged the Nigerian business community to take full advantage of the vast trade and investment opportunities created through Nigeria’s strategic partnership with China.
He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and promoting stronger economic collaboration between both countries as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Chief Wood described Nigeria-China relations as mutually beneficial, emphasizing the need for greater private sector participation in trade, investment, technology transfer and industrial development.
In his welcome address, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NCBC, Dr. Sam Agbi, disclosed that the Council has facilitated over 10 million dollars in investments into Nigeria, particularly from Chinese electrical and electronics companies.
According to him, the investments have generated thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerian youths while strengthening the country’s industrial value chains.
Dr. Agbi stressed that Nigeria’s relationship with China should move beyond conventional trade to embrace productive investments, industrialisation, innovation, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
He explained that the Nigeria-China Business Council serves as a strategic bridge between the public and private sectors of both countries by facilitating trade, investment, business matchmaking, policy advocacy and strategic partnerships.
He further revealed that the Council has coordinated Nigeria’s participation in several international programmes, including the Canton Fair, investment fairs, specialised training programmes and the Panda Film and Television Festival in Chengdu, China, exposing Nigerian businesses to global best practices and new investment opportunities.
Dr. Agbi added that one of the major expectations from the stakeholders’ forum is the adoption of a communiqué containing practical recommendations aimed at deepening Nigeria-China economic cooperation and translating discussions into measurable investments, industrial growth and sustainable development.
