President Goodluck Jonathan ill in London, can’t attend state function

President Goodluck Jonathan could not attend the opening of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investors’ Council due to ill health. Jonathan arrived London on Wednesday, where he was to preside over a three-day meeting of Nigeria’s Honourary International Investors’ Council (HIIC) in London.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan became indisposed and could not be present at the opening of the event.

He said the president had since been examined by competent medical practitioners and had been advised to rest for a few days.

“The Presidency wishes to assure all Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious and that the medical attention he has sought is only precautionary,” Abati said.

Abati did not, however, say if the president will return to the country at the weekend, as earlier announced.

Issues on the agenda of the HIIC meeting, according to an earlier statement, include generating long-term affordable finance for Nigeria’s real sector, developing Nigeria’s private equity and venture capital sectors to attract more foreign investments as well as  Nigeria’s information and communications technology master plan.

The meeting of the council, which is coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker, will also feature a review of Nigeria’s existing investment policies by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris-based international organisation dedicated to the promotion of policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

Members of the council include the CEO of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mr. Mohammed al Shaibani, a former South African Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alec Erwin;  Vice President of Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Group in Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Mr. Olivier Suinat; former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz and the Director of Shell’s International Upstream Business, Mr. Andrew Brown.

President Jonathan was accompanied by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Senator Nenadi Usman, Sylvester Ogbaga, Isiaka Bawa, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Governor of the Central Bank, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi.

The accompanying ministers and heads of agencies, according to Abati, are to brief the gathering on developments in their areas of responsibility, and also lead discussions on proposals for overcoming identified challenges.