NIGERIA: Former United States President, Bill Clinton attends Nigeria's 17th Annual Awards for Excellence

Record ID: 235490

  • Title: NIGERIA: Former United States President, Bill Clinton attends Nigeria's 17th Annual Awards for Excellence
  • Date: 15th February 2012
  • Summary: LAGOS,NIGERIA (FEBRUARY 13, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GUESTS AT NIGERIA'S ANNUAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS VARIOUS OF CHERIE BLAIR, WIFE OF FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR WALKING TO THE STAGE TO GREET FORMER US PRESIDENT, BILL CLINTON GUESTS SAT DOWN (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER US PRESIDENT, BILL CLINTON SAYING: "I saw and I have seen meaningful reforms in the last year, in moving to open up and increased investment in the energy sector and to modernise that, and I have seen other examples of more investments coming into Nigeria and for whatever it's worth, I think this is a good thing, and I think there is a way you can do it and I think the President and the administration seems to be committed to it that will actually create more opportunity for people who are in the older energy economy as well as more for people who are into a newer more competitive, more diverse economy." GUESTS SAT DOWN (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER US PRESIDENT, BILL CLINTON SAYING: "I am really worried about the security problem for you and I hope that the President and the appropraite ministries, the local forces will be able to figure out what to do about it. But all over the world where I work, and in my own life, like we dealt with a lot of drug violence in my native state in the 1980's. I have learnt one thing, it is almost impossible to cure a problem based on violence with action against that alone, you also have to give people something to look forward to when they get up in the morning, doesn't mean you should take a dive on the violence, it just means you have to have something people can say yes to, you can't tell people to say no all the time, you have to give them something to say yes to." CHERIE BLAIR AND BILL CLINTON PRESENTING AWARDS
  • Embargoed: 1st March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3PXX8532HAD4D4C48FACEDPX6
  • Story Text: Former United States President, Bill Clinton on Monday (February 13) graced the 17th Annual Awards for Excellence, in Nigeria's commercial city, Lagos.
    The Award was held to recognise the achievements of notable personalities in Nigeria for their excellence and good governance.
    Life time achievement awards were also given to honour Nigerians who have been exceptional in their service to the country.
    Speaking at the awards ceremony, Clinton said he has seen remarkable changes in Nigeria in the past year.
    "I saw and I have seen meaningful reforms in the last year, in moving to open up and increased investment in the energy sector and to modernise that, and I have seen other examples of more investments coming into Nigeria and for whatever it's worth, I think this is a good thing, and I think there is a way you can do it and I think the President and the administration seems to be committed to it that will actually create more opportunity for people who are in the older energy economy as well as more for people who are into a newer more competitive, more diverse economy." he said.
    The former US President also expressed his concern over the state of insecurity in the nation.
    "I am really worried about the security problem for you and I hope that the President, and the appropraite ministries, and the local forces will be able to figure out what to do about it." Clinton said, "I have learnt one thing, it is almost impossible to cure a problem based on violence with action against that alone, you also have to give people something to look forward to when they get up in the morning, doesn't mean you should take a dive on the violence, it just means you have to have something people can say yes to, you can't tell people to say no all the time, you have to give them something to say yes to."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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