Kigali, 17 April 2012
President Kagame today received in his office Governors of the Nigerian states of Delta and Cross River, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and Senator Liyel Imoke. The Governors travelled to Rwanda to invite President Kagame to the South-South Economic Summit, scheduled for the end of this month in Delta State.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan said that being a region where 95% of Nigeria’s oil is produced, the South-South region should come together and form an integrated economic development.
“We held a summit two years ago in Cross River State and we are holding another one at the end of this month and believe we should invite a leader who has experience in crisis and post-crisis management. Because of the oil, the South-South region has had its share of crises we would like President Kagame to come and share with us how we can depart from crisis situations and become an investment destination.”
Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan also said that the South-South region would like to work together with Rwanda to develop both economies:
“We have the resources and human resources both in Rwanda and Nigeria to be able to grow far beyond where we are now. We believe that the continent should first look inwards instead of looking for foreigners to come and develop us.”
Joseph Habineza, the Rwanda Ambassador to Nigeria said:
“The South-South region has experienced problems for a long time where terrorists reigned for a long time, kidnapping oil workers and burning oil wells. They have invited the President to share Rwanda’s experience on moving from problems to prosperity.”