>> Nigerian chairs forum on free trade area for Africa
Lewis Silkin appoints ex-Nabarro director as COO
UK and Hong Kong firm, Lewis Silkin, has appointed a new chief operating officer, recruiting a senior manager from newly merged Nabarro.
Graeme Wood, who was appointed Nabarro’s director of change last year, has taken up the post, Lewis Silkin announced yesterday.
A spokesperson for the firm said Wood would take ‘overall responsibility’ for the firm’s operations. He will replace departing COO Jan DeCerce.
Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe has been elected as the Chairman of the Negotiating Forum for the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) for Africa.
Osakwe was elected chairman of the 54-member Negotiating Forum in Niamey, Niger, on June 5, during the 6th cycle of the negotiations for the CFTA.
Other members of the Bureau are: First Vice Chairman (Swaziland); Second Vice Chairman (Ethiopia); Third Vice Chairman (Chad); and Rapporteur (Algeria).
This puts Nigeria at the forefront of the negotiations, where it is expected to show leadership and work with the bureau to drive the CFTA to conclusion.
Reacting to his election, Osakwe said: “We have a duty to deliver on an integrated market for goods and services in Africa and, as a consequence, generate a radical boost for intraAfrican trade.”
The seasoned negotiator and diplomat added: “The responsibility we have is a major challenge and at the same time a unique opportunity to contribute to growth, job creation and poverty reduction in Africa. Concluding the CFTA is also of necessity, for improving intra-African trade as part of a broader response to a global economy in rapid and uncertain change. Nigeria is grateful for this honour to serve and lead.”
The African Union (AU) has set a deadline of December 2017 for the adoption of the CFTA.
Osakwe is currently the Trade Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chief Negotiator for Nigeria. He provides technical advice on trade policy and structural reforms to the Economic Management Team (EMT).