President Goodluck Jonathan declared on Wednesday in New York that attracting greater foreign direct investment to accelerate domestic growth “is now the major focus of Nigeria’s foreign policy’’.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, also quoted Jonathan as saying that the creation of more jobs for the army of unemployed Nigerians was similarly a major focus of nation’s foreign policy thrust in the drive to grow the economy in partnership with foreign investors.
The president who was speaking at a dinner organised in his honour by the Corporate Council on Africa, said that his Administration was wholly committed to promoting the development of a knowledge-based economy.
“The government is committed to promoting a knowledge-economy that will enhance the security of lives and property, thereby accelerating growth to provide more employment and reduce youth restiveness,’’ he said.
The President told the gathering of leading American businessmen and investors that attracting foreign investment to support the realisation of the Federal Government’s Agenda for National Transformation was now the topmost priority of Nigeria’s diplomacy abroad.