Bob Dewar

Not oil but food!

It is not so well known how growing and processing food in Nigeria is on the up. Everyone thinks of Nigeria in recent decades as dependent only on oil and gas. So it was great to hear of the visit of directors of Olam Nigeria Ltd based in Commonwealth partner country Singapore. Olam was the biggest non-oil exporter from Nigeria in 2007 (over $133m). Its products have traditionally been cocoa, sesame seed and cotton. But there has been more recent news of plans to invest in a sugar refinery and wheat milling.  The company's investment so far has shown how they see long term opportunities here. They have helped rural employment and farmers' profits. Positive stuff. Making a difference for small holder farmers. Let's hope for more.

Posted at 13:04 28 October 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Commonwealth conversation

My Ugandan colleague as current Commonwealth Chair launched an awareness campaign with the press, which I attended. This was to encourage Nigerians to participate in the 'Commonwealth conversation.' A great idea, asking people to say what they think about the relevance of the Commonwealth in the modern world.

Just log on to www.thecommonwealthconversation.org. What goals do you think the Commonwealth should have for the future? How can it connect better with the young (half of Commonwealth citizens are under 25). And so on. This conversation is 2 billion voices in 53 countries of amazing diversity, sharing common language and values and a force for positive change in our planet. Make your voice heard!

Posted at 16:44 29 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Remembrance Day: For peace and freedom

The services of Remembrance in Abuja and Lagos in recent days have been moving occasions.

Standing together in Abuja, the capital at the exact centre of this vibrant African power, home to 140 million people, it was striking to think that it was exactly 90 years ago that the First World War guns fell silent.

While we remember and honour those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy in the UK today, there are so many young men and women who continue to serve right now in the cause of peace, including in Africa. Nigerian forces are in Darfur and Liberia for example.

I stood yesterday in another peaceful Commonwealth war grave cemetery, this time in Lagos, sharing the silence after the bagpiper and the bugle, both beautifully played. This was a cemetery with over 400 Commonwealth and other graves, the largest such concentration of the fallen from the Second World War in Nigeria. Military and civilians, young and old, British and Nigerian, Commonwealth and allied, stood together. Two of the small group of Nigerian veterans, proudly wearing their medals, had served with the UN in the Congo 'the first time round', as one of them explained to me. A group of children, smart in their school uniforms, stood not far from them. As we stood, the early morning heat was already intense in a tropical humidity, a tremendous contrast to that Sunday only seven days ago in Kano in the North. This country is so big. As the children stood silent, facing the wreaths on the cenotaph, a plane flew over. And the birds sang.

Posted at 18:48 18 November 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]