Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has urged investors in the United Arab Emirates to take advantage of the availability of vast arable land, human resources, and a conducive environment to invest in the State.
He made the call during a visit to the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, over the weekend.
Oba Ewuare II, while addressing global investors at a meeting held at Palm Jumeirah, noted that the call was part of his deliberate efforts to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Edo State.
He wooed potential investors to the state’s agricultural, real estate, and solar power industries, among others.
The monarch’s visit, tagged “A Royal Encounter,” was organized by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), whose delegation was headed by Olayinka Fayomi.
The information from the group made available to the media in Benin City was titled, “Unlocking Nigeria’s potential: His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, meets global investors at Palm Jumeriah, Dubai, facilitated by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN).”
“As much as possible, this meeting will benefit all of us. So, those that are in solar power here, please, we need to be talking as well, closely. And, of course, investors that will bring the money to invest in agriculture, in real estate, among others.
“I have land designated for real estate already. Almost 1,000 hectares. I know you know what a thousand hectares is for real estate housing complexes and things like that; that will have power 24/7. That is where solar power can also be helpful. It will be helpful there,” he said.
Earlier in her remarks, Dr (Mrs) Olayinka Fayomi, chairperson, Foreign Investment Network, said the organization is a United Kingdom-based global investment consulting and publishing firm established in 2001 and operating a regional African office in Abuja.
“FIN specializes in sourcing funds for projects, building key relationships, and assisting developing economies to attract quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” she stated
Fayomi posited that the meeting was geared toward exploring investment opportunities through discussions of potential investment projects in various sectors, facilitating partnerships to foster collaborations between investors, government agencies, and private sectors.
She added that it was also to showcase Edo State’s potential by highlighting the state’s economic growth and development opportunities.
Recalls that since the Oba Ewuare II ascension to the throne of the Benin kingdom in October 20, 2016, has brought to bear his rich background and expertise in international diplomacy garnered during his tenures as Nigeria Ambassador to Angola, Sweden, and Italy.
As an international diplomat, he had worked closely with local, national, and international government officials and organizations to foster development in Edo State.
The Oba has also been unrelenting in his advocacy for the repatriation of the Benin Kingdom’s artefacts stolen by the British Empire in 1897, of which some he has successfully retrieved and a vocal anti-human trafficking campaigner.
