Dr. Christian Nwanne is the Chairman of World International Economic Group (WIEG) Mandate Nigeria Ltd.  He is also the President and Founder of the Divine Institute of Chaplaincy Corps Int’l Ltd. In this interview with ONYEDIKA AGBEDO, he speaks on the forthcoming investment summit being organised by the global body in Nigeria, stating that its focus is to attract foreign direct investments as well as galvanise Nigerians towards productivity to unlock the country’s economic growth.

What are the major thrusts of WIEG?
I have been engaged in practical humanitarian activities all my life and this is not just in Nigeria. I have been involved in humanitarian activities in South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Europe and more. I have done this for over 30 years consistently. Giving back to the community has been my passion.

The WIEG is somewhat like the United Nations, but it has a private-oriented concept. However, its agenda is to run a humanitarian organisation that will come up with humanitarian investments in infrastructure and other sectors targeted primarily at reaching the less privileged.  So, they were looking out for people that had been passionately doing the same thing that can fuel it the way they want.

When the vision came up, it was set up in about 200 nations and Nigeria joined late. And after Nigeria joined, there was a search for who will lead Nigeria. I sent the details they needed for background checks not knowing I will be selected to lead Nigeria.

When I assumed duty, I came up with a catalogue for Nigeria on how we can succeed knowing the kind of political terrain we have and the catalogue was approved, not just for Nigeria but also for other countries that even joined WIEG before Nigeria. As a result, the catalogue was translated to French and other languages to suit other countries. That was how I rose to be World Vice President (Number Eight) in charge of international membership and development.

What has been the impact of WIEG so far in the countries they operate?
That is why there is consistency for us to reach the giant strides we are aiming at. It’s the impact that made us stand strong, pushing from phase to phase. For instance, when we did our flag-off in 2024, it generated what the project would look like. The flag-off defined the project and gave birth to a template that was commissioned during the event. It’s that template that gave birth to the investment summit that is coming up this February 25 and 26 at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.  The summit will focus on attracting Foreign Direct Investment and catalysing trade with Malaysia and beyond, under the auspices of WIEG 200+ countries’ membership global trade network targeting Nigeria’s growth sectors including energy, technology, real estate, creative economy, among others.

WIEG appears like an economic organisation but your explanations are portraying it as a humanitarian organisation. What exactly is the central focus of the group?
There is no economy without the humanitarian aspect. There is no government anywhere in the world without a humanitarian agenda. Democracy is defined as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. So, the people have the government; there is nothing like a government without the people. And who are the people? That is where humanitarianism comes in. Working to meet the needs of those people is what is called humanitarian. So, you can’t take humanitarianism out of the economy and you can’t take the economy out of humanitarianism.

So, how does Nigeria benefit from the group’s activities?
A   project that will create over 200 jobs will be of great benefit to the economy. At the same time, from all the representatives in different states, there are some cultural values we want to monetise to help the communities. Every state has things that are peculiar to them that will create jobs and add value to the lives of people. That is why I said that the mandate of WIEG is to drive things home whereby people at the grassroots will be blessed. And WIEG has that mandate between now and 2030 to raise about 5000 entrepreneurs who will be boasting that through WIEG’s support, they are doing better and standing strong in what they are doing.

What informed WIEG’s forthcoming summit in Nigeria?
WIEG has been going from one phase to another. The phase we are in now is the phase of implementing its programmes. This is the phase of allowing people to key into WIEG’s programmes. As the government would always say, you don’t bring in investments and drive it entirely with foreigners; you have to give Nigerians opportunities to be part of the investment. That is where we are now.

The theme of the summit is ‘Nigeria’s Next Economic Frontier: Unlocking Sustainable Investments for Economic Transformation.’ What are your thoughts on the state of the economy and the way forward?   
What we have been doing has been so sacrificial. As a leader, my passion is to create values rather than make profit. So, I believe that change begins from you. Your individual sacrifices will always influence people to make Nigeria a better place to live.

So, the new frontier is about focusing everybody on how we can help the country. I love Nigeria as a country and I am proud of being a Nigerian. So, the theme of the summit is just pointing every Nigerian to productivity because it is the impact we make within and outside Nigeria, and the inflow that comes from other countries, that will raise our GDP and change the narrative about the country.

Do you have any word for the government and private sector players with regard to supporting WIEG’s objectives?
First of all, I want to appreciate the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It’s a systematic government; you can’t really understand the progress of this administration except you are attached to systems where it is working. If you are an international traveler you will know that there are changes in our aviation and immigration. Most of the ministries are doing great compared to the past governments. There are selected ministers who are working strategically and we commend that.  Some of the agencies have also opened up to institutional partnerships. It is also encouraging that the government has prepared them to accept things that will bring changes to the economy and impact the lives of people positively.

So, my word to all the stakeholders and gatekeepers in different sectors is to open up and embrace WIEG’s mandate and project so that we can grow the economy together. So, the least we expect is their encouragement and support to make sure these dreams and visions come through.

We want all investors, partners, stakeholders and gatekeepers to open their doors to us. We are not coming to step on anybody’s toes; we are not into profit-making. We don’t see any need for what we are doing apart from serving the purpose of God and humanity.