The summit is part of activities marking the 30th
anniversary celebration and 2021 annual conference of finance correspondents
association of Nigeria (FICAN).
A statement from the association said the theme of the
conference scheduled to hold on September 25th and 26th, 2021 at Ikeja Lagos
is: “Financing Infrastructure & SMEs for Inclusive Growth in Post-COVID-19
Economy.”
It would bring together leaders in the banking, technology,
SMEs fields, including regulators and government agencies
as they explore areas Nigeria can mobilise funds for infrastructure
development and upgrade.
Infrastructure is critical to Nigeria’s sustainable economic
growth as it is the pivot on which the wheel of other economic activities
rotate. But, over the years, its financing has been a challenge.
Incidentally, financing the SMEs sector is also a challenge,
thereby highlighting the fact that almost
every sector of the Nigerian economy is in dare need of adequate
infrastructure.
The statement further revealed that seasoned experts and
leaders in the financial services sector will serve as panelists in the media
interactive session with sub-themes: Synergising monetary and fiscal policy for
economic sustainability.
Filling infrastructure gap in face of rising debts;
Financing SMEs in the new normal; mobilizing funds from the capital market and
Financing Nigeria health sector in post Covid-19 economy.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab
Ahmed is expected to give opening remarks while the Governor, Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele will
deliver the keynote address.
The managing director NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, will be the guest
speaker while panelists will include: Mr. Ifie Sekibo, managing director,
Heritage Bank; managing director FMDQ Mr. Bola Onadele-Koko, director general,
Debt Management Office, Ms Patience Oniha; managing director Fidelity Bank Mrs.
Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, officials of the CBN and Chairman of the Foundation for
Economic Research and Training (FERT) Lagos, Professor Akpan Ekpo.
The event will also feature awards and recognitions to
corporate bodies and individuals who have supported the association over the
years. Recognitions will be made to past national chairmen of FICAN for their
unique services and dynamism in sustaining the vision of the association.
The conference will
be attended by
the umbrella body of
over 150 finance
journalists and business editors,
covering money market, capital market and the insurance industry, from the
print, online and electronic media, it noted.