Communications minister Adebayo Shittu to arrive in London next week for diaspora summit

CONTROVERSIAL communications minister Barrister Adebayo Shittu has revealed details of the itinerary for his planned two-day visit to the UK to attend the first ever Nigerian Communications and Technology Summit taking place in London on May 10 and 11.

Organised by the Nigerian Direct Diaspora Investment Summit (NDDIS), the event has been put together to expose diasporans and other international investors to the opportunities available within Nigeria's communications and IT sector. Barrister Shittu along with the director-generals of agencies under his ministry and numerous professionals from the Nigerian telecommunications sector will use the occasion to outline areas of potential investment opportunities including mobile phones, Internet penetration and satellite television.

On Thursday May 10, there will be a cocktail reception taking place at the Nigerian high commission in central London, starting at 7pm. Then on Friday May 11, the main summit will take place at Amba Charing Cross Hotel along the Strand, starting at 9am and ending at 5pm.

NDDIS chairman Chief Bimbo Afolayan, said: "This is the first such event of its kind and the summit will be chaired by the Nigerian high commissioner to the UJ Justice George Oguntade.  Keynote speeches will be delivered by the communications minister Barrister Shittu, the UK prime minister’s trade envoy to Nigeria, the director-generals of agencies, chief executives of telecommunications and IT companies, community leaders and other VIPS."

Doyin Owoeye, the NDDIS media manager, said there are still a few places left and anyone wishing to attend should register on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nigerian-communications-and-technology-su... She added that alternatively, they could ring o David Smith on 07957 871470 or Wilson Balogun on 07948 241 725.

Furthermore Ms Owoeye, urged anyone wanting more information about the summit to visit www.nddis.co.uk/ She added that the theme for the day shall be Investing into the Nigerian Communications and Technology Sector and the role of ICT and communications on education, health, agriculture and business development.

Barrister Shittu, who has been in the news a lot lately following his spat with presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore and his disagreement with the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the conducting of primaries for the state local government elections, is likely to be the centre of attraction at the summit. Later on this year, he is expected to declare himself a candidate for the forthcoming Oyo State governorship race.