Fayemi explains why he was absent at Washington Investment Forum

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, on Monday disagreed with those accusing him of shunning the US-Nigerian investment summit, stating that he did not confirm attendance at any investment forum in Washington DC.

He spoke in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, following reports that the Emir of Kano, HRM Muhammad Sanusi, criticized some Ministers for their absence at an Investment forum organised by the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC.

The statement reads, “As a matter of fact, the Minister and a few of his colleagues, during the said period were attending some investment forum organized by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Head of Government meeting (CHOGM), in London, UK.

“There have been instances where names of Ministers and top government officials were announced as participants in some events without proper invitation and confirmation of attendance. This is certainly the case with the Washington event.

“So, to suggest that that Dr Fayemi was in Washington and chose not to attend the event could not have been an accurate account of what transpired. He was certainly nowhere near America and the organizers cannot say he confirmed to be at the event.

“Organisers of important events should not always assume they have put the necessary steps in place when they simply have not taken the pain to invite and also confirm attendance at an event.”