Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has received a delegation of African and European business development partners exploring sustainable investment opportunities and deeper collaboration in Edo State and Nigeria.
The delegation was led to the palace in Benin City by the Group Managing Director of Arco Group Plc, Alfred Okoigun. It included John Davenport, President of Sulzer Services for Europe, Africa and the UK, and Henry Craukamp, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region and Managing Director of Sulzer Pumps, South Africa.
Welcoming the delegation, the monarch commended their commitment to excellence, noting its impact on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the advancement of the oil and gas sector.
He emphasised the need for well-structured strategic business plans to navigate complex economic challenges, while also praising the delegation’s leadership for sustained investment in relationships and networks over the past four decades.
“We pray Almighty God and our ancestors that we reap the fruits of our labour. We have been working day and night since last year,” the Oba said.
“I know you are a hard worker. I am sure your contribution to Nigeria’s GDP is immense. We thank you for the vision. This is just the beginning—a new feather in your cap.”
Earlier, Okoigun described the partnership with the foreign investors as a significant milestone in promoting local content development in Nigeria.
Also present at the palace was the Managing Director of Arco Maintenance and Engineering, Michael Okoigun, who facilitated the partnership and accompanied the delegation on the visit.