WEF adopts Transcorp Hilton as official hotel for WEFA

The World Economic Forum, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland,
has announced that the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja will be the official
hotel and hospitality partner of the 24th World Economic Forum on
Africa, which will be held for the first time in Nigeria.
The three-day event, scheduled from May 7 to 10, 2014, is expected to
draw over 700 participants from more than 40 countries to host city,
Abuja, to discuss the continent’s integration agenda and a renewed
commitment to sustainable growth and development.
Delegates will include regional and global leaders from business,
government and civil society.
According to Valentine Ozigbo, MD/CEO of Transnational Hotels and
Tourism Services Limited, which runs the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja and
is partly owned by Tony O. Elumelu’s proprietary investment company,
Heirs Holdings, the hotel was unanimously selected after a diligent
evaluation of Nigeria’s hotels’ facilities and services by a special
team from WEF.
Transcorp Hilton won the hospitality ticket due to its track record of
successfully hosting international conferences and events, coupled
with its world class facilities and vintage Hilton quality standard of
service delivery.
A statement said on Wednesday: “Transcorp Hilton has a proud history
of successfully hosting high profile international events and we are
honoured to be the official host of the 24th edition of WEFA. The
forum presents an unprecedented opportunity for Nigeria to make a
strong business case as Africa’s investment destination of choice,
while showcasing our rich culture and tourism potential.”
The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance of
Nigeria, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, first announced that Nigeria would
host WEFA last May at the closing of the 23rd World Economic Forum in
Cape Town, South Africa.
In preparation for the 2014 programme, a team of the local organizing
committee, led by Frank Nweke Jnr, met with the Managing Director and
member of Governing Board of WEF, Borge Brende, last week to discuss
plans for a successful hosting of WEFA 2014 in Abuja.
Nweke restated the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to
ensure world class preparations and deliver a great WEFA 2014.
In his remarks, Brende expressed the excitement of his team and the
optimism shared by their members who are looking forward to a great
showing in Abuja.
The Director for Africa at the WEF, Elsie Kanza, will lead her team
this week to Abuja to continue preparations and stakeholder engagement
for a successful hosting.
Nweke thanked the WEF team and promised that his team is ready to host
the world.
According to him, plans are progressing from all fronts to make WEFA
2014 in Abuja a remarkable event and a greater opportunity for foreign
investors willing to do business in Nigeria.
Last year, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan established a Steering
Committee of select Cabinet members and eminent professionals under
the co-Chairmanship of Okonjo-Iweala and the Chief Economic Adviser to
the President, Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe, to superintend Nigeria’s
preparations.