The Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, is in Dubai, the eponymous capital city of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populous of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.
The Omo N’Oba, who travelled out of the country last week, is currently wooing investors with the muscles and capacities to invest in the businesses of agriculture, real estate and solar power among other critical business sectors of Edo State, specifically in Benin Kingdom. Titled: A Royal Encounter: Oba Ewuare II Meets Investors in Dubai, the monarch addressed the global investors at a meeting held at Palm Jumeriah in Dubai at the weekend.
Organised by the Foreign Investment Network, whose chairperson, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Olayinka Fayomi led the delegation, information from the group made available to the media stated, “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).”
According to FIN, the meeting has as objectives, exploring investment opportunities through discussions of potential investment projects in various sectors; facilitating partnerships to foster collaborations between investors, government agencies, and private sectors; and showcasing Edo State’s potential by highlighting the state’s economic growth and development opportunities.
Addressing the investors, Oba Ewuare lauded the benefits of the business meeting to all and sundry while urging the potential investors to take advantage of the availability of land, human resources and conducive environment.
“As much as possible, this meeting will benefit all of them. 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 etc. I have land designated for real estate already. Almost a thousand (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 stated.
Crowned on 20th October, 2016 as the 40th Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty has brought to bear upon the throne of his ancestors, his rich background and expertise in international diplomacy, which has seen him serving as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola, Sweden, and Italy, during which time he had worked closely with local, national and international government officials and organizations to foster development in Edo State.
Since he succeeded Oba Erediauwa, Oba Ewuare II has been unrelenting in his advocacy for the repatriation of Benin Kingdom’s artefacts stolen by the British Empire in 1897, some of which he has successfully retrieved. He has also been a vocal anti-human trafficking campaigner, an advocacy that made him in 2018 to curse juju priests, who empower human trafficking. Furthermore, he has continued to promote peaceful elections, good governance and non-violent state since 2020.
Foreign Investment Network is a United Kingdom-based global investment consulting and publishing firm established since 2001 operating a regional African office in Abuja. FIN specialises in sourcing funds for projects, building key relationships, and assisting developing economies to attract quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
