Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on investors across the globe to tap into the enormous investment opportunities in the state, assuring of his administration’s unwavering commitment to creating enabling environment for their investments to flourish.
Governor Abiodun made the call during the Closing Ceremony and Raffle Draw of the 13th Gateway International Trade Fair, at M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Laderin, Abeokuta, where a Protocol Officer with the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Adewunmi Adeleke, emerged winner of the grand prize of a two-bedroom bungalow, just as there were other winners of consolation prizes.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor said his administration had put in place, strategic initiatives to promote conducive environment for investment and sustainable development.
“Let me use this medium to invite well-meaning investors to tap into enormous investment opportunities our state offers. All sectors of our economy are opened for partnership. We have opportunities in the area of funding, infrastructure development, Human-Capital Development and so on, while we remain unwavering about the development of the overall State economy”, he said.
While calling for continuous support of private sector, the governor disclosed that government’s efforts to make the state more viable had been fruitful as “a sizeable number of new companies have opened in the state”, describing this year’s Fair as “record-breaking and benchmark setting”, promising that the next edition would surpass this year’s.
Remarking, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, appreciated the collaboration among stakeholders which has aided the success of the Trade Fair, urging all stakeholders to continue to leverage the opportunities derived from the exhibition and to further collaborate towards unlocking the full potential of the state’s economy.
He commended the resilience exhibitors at the Trade Fair, despite economic challenges in the country, noting that there had been an influx of businesses into the state, which according to him, positively impacted on employment opportunities for residents and the economy.
Earlier, President, Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Engr. Mike Akingbade, observed that this year’s edition was the best in the history of the exhibition and a platform being understudied by some states, lauding Governor Abiodun for creating an enabling environment for the event.
He urged government to continue to build on established strong partnership with the Chambers, appealing for the construction of permanent pavilions at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Laderin, Abeokuta.
In his reaction, the Grand Prize winner, Mr. Adewunmi Adeleke, who expressed surprise at his emergence, lauded the raffle draw initiative, calling for its sustenance for future editions.
Commenting on the Fair, Chief Executive Officer, Threadline Coutures, Mrs. Rukayat Dairo and Sales Officer, Park In by Raddison, Mrs. Rahmat Ahmed, described this year’s edition as memorable and well attended by local and international visitors, enjoining government to construct permanent pavilions.
