Deputy Speaker Kalu Hosts Dr. Njoku, Fmr Delaware Lt. Gov in Landmark Meeting on Women in Leadership and Solid Minerals Investment

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu CFR, on Monday played host to a high-powered delegation of investors and partners led by renowned real estate tycoon Dr. Susan Nnena Njoku, accompanied by the immediate past Lieutenant Governor of Delaware, Dr. Bethany Hall-Long, at his office in the National Assembly.

The meeting, which brought together businessmen, politicians, and investors, served as a platform to discuss critical national issues ranging from women’s legislative inclusion to the untapped potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. In his welcome address, the Deputy Speaker, who has served in his position since 2023, focused heavily on the need to empower women in leadership and reiterated his support for the bill seeking to increase women’s representation in legislative offices across Nigeria.

Dr. Nnena Njoku, who serves as the Financial Secretary of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and is a recognized expert in the mining sector, spoke passionately about the efforts of the Deputy Speaker in the areas of gender equality, empowerment, and skill development.

She noted that the conversation marked a significant shift toward strengthening bilateral ties with the United States, specifically with the state of Delaware.

Speaking to pressmen after the closed-door session, Dr. Njoku highlighted the core focus of their deliberations. “The meeting focused more on rare earth minerals, mining, and solid minerals,” she stated. “This is a shift towards a closer relationship with the United States of America and the state of Delaware. We are looking at how to harness these resources for the benefit of our people while fostering international partnerships.”

Dr. Bethany Hall-Long, who served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 2002 to 2008 and in the Delaware Senate from 2008 until 2017, before becoming Lieutenant Governor in 2017 and eventually Governor on January 7, 2024, emphasized the need for deeper collaboration across multiple sectors.

She outlined a robust agenda for partnership, calling for joint efforts in energy exploration, security, ICT, education, and healthcare.

In her remarks, Dr. Hall-Long expressed her surprise at the reality on the ground in Nigeria, contrasting it with international perceptions. “This would be my first international visit out of the United States, and I chose to visit Nigeria,” she said. “I am being hosted by Dr. Nnena and her partners here in Nigeria. I am glad to see that all we read about insecurity in Nigeria is not what it is here on ground, and I will like to ask partners around the world to seek business opportunities in Africa.”

The delegation included a mix of top-tier investors and political figures, all of whom expressed optimism about the potential for American-Nigerian partnerships.

The meeting is seen as a significant step toward repositioning Nigeria as a prime destination for foreign direct investment, particularly in the solid minerals sector, while simultaneously advancing the cause of women in political leadership.

The Deputy Speaker commended the delegation for their vision and assured them of the National Assembly’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment and gender-inclusive governance.