President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, described the terrorist attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic sect as “a temporary setback” which will soon be a thing of the past.

This came on the heels of the nation’s quest for direct foreign investment which is the high point of the 2011 Economic summit.

Speaking at the on-going 17th Nigeria Economic Summit, NES 17, in Abuja, President Jonathan said that his administration was acquiring and deploying all necessary security infrastructure to defeat the sect in order to make the nation an investors’ haven in her quest to be a key global economic power.

His words: “We are working very hard to provide a conducive atmosphere for investors. Although we currently have the Boko Haram problem, just like terrorist activities in other parts of the globe, but I can assure Nigerians and the global community that we will soon overcome. All those involved in 2010 Independence Day attacks have been arrested. We admit that our primary responsibility is to provide security and we are working on it. Book Haram is a temporary setback.

“It is important we recognize that terrorism is a global problem. It is just that the problem of terrorism is new to us in this country. We are acquiring the right infrastructure to effectively combat them.

“Let me appeal, once again, to our global partners to see us as partners in progress. The investment environment in Nigeria is ripe. We are taking necessary steps to put in place appropriate legislation to guarantee and protect your investments.

“We are not unmindful of the security challenges that confront us. Government is taking firm steps to address the problem. We will continue to fight crime, punish offenders and do everything necessary to make our country conducive for everyone to live in and engage in genuine enterprises.

“To members of the global investor community, I want to tell you that our economy has maintained its growth, in the face of the global economic downturn.

“Meanwhile, our external trade and tariff policies are being reviewed, even as we recognize the need to promote and protect domestic industries. We are committed to creating a more responsive tariff policy which will make our prohibition list more shorter.

“The ministers and other public sector officials will be providing more details in their presentations and further in depth discussion with their private sector counterparts during the course of the summit. I understand also that a number of state governors will participate in this summit and use the opportunity to promote available business opportunities in their states.”

Those who fail to invest in Nigeria now will regret

President Jonathan who personally participated in the presidential dialogue with global CEOs on the theme ‘Attracting Foreign Direct Investment through Global Partnerships’ where he stated that international firms who fail to invest in Nigeria now would regret in the future.

He said: “Anybody who fails to invest in Nigeria now because of these incidences of Boko Haram will regret it. Those who think that Nigeria is a place where they can always come and dump their products will eventually be disappointed because this will not continue for long”.