A London-based investment organisation, Foreign Investment Network (FIN), has honoured Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo ) as well as the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and other top personalities during its international award ceremony in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The award ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, during the 2025 Net Zero MEA Summit, had top chief executive officers (CEOs), managing directors (MDs), innovators, founders and other stakeholders from different countries, in attendance.
Sanwo- Olu was honoured with the Distinguished FIN Outstanding Leadership Award, while Okpebholo received the Distinguished FIN Emerging Governor Of The Year Award in recognition of their remarkable achievements in Lagos and Edo states, respectively.
The MD/CEO of Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, was also honoured with the Distinguished FIN Transformational Leader in Development Finance while the Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Doris Uboh, who graced the event, also received the Distinguished FIN Rural Electrification Champion of the Year for her outstanding contribution to public service.
In his remarks at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Biodun Ogunleye, who received the award on behalf the Governor said: “Our unique selling point is not just about upwardly mobile population but a growth trajectory that confirms Lagos as a choice destination for investment.
“The FIN event was an opportunity for Lagos, under the able leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu, to showcase the competitiveness of our city as an investment destination. We were also able to debunk some assumptions about the progress we are making as the largest subnational towards improving our liveability index. We are also delighted about the enquiries and follow up we have had so far.”
The Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Mr Amen Odigie, who received the award on behalf of Okpebholo, said: “Under the visionary leadership of Governor Okpebholo, the present Edo State administration is prioritising agriculture, renewable energy investments and sustainable development.
“I also wish to use this opportunity to highlight the state’s abundant natural resources, progressive reforms and investor-friendly environment, positioning Edo as a gateway to West Africa’s green economy and inviting global partners to collaborate on transformative projects.”
The Oba of Benin, who was present at the event and honoured with the Distinguished FIN Lifetime Achievement Award, said: “We are actively seeking investment partners to drive the development of our agricultural and real estate sectors in Edo State. With thousands of hectares earmarked for these initiatives, we are positioned to support significant growth and innovation.
“We also recognise the critical role of renewable energy, particularly solar power, in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of these sectors. Therefore, we invite stakeholders and investors in the renewable energy space to engage in meaningful dialogue with us. Together, we can explore the most effective ways to facilitate your investment and ensure mutual value creation across all areas of collaboration.”
FIN Chairman, Dr. Olayinka Fayomi, said: “ We are delighted to honour our distinguished honourees in Dubai for their stellar achievements and remarkable contributions to public service and humanities.
“For the records, our honourees were chosen after a rigorous nomination process by the FIN management and I can say with high sense of responsibility that our honourees will live up to expectations.”
Some of the prominent personalities, who attended the event included Yaqoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor from The Office of His Highness, Sheikh Juma Bin Makhtoum Al Maktoum; Mr. Gong Jackey, CEO, BMSER Technology; Mr. Chen Xiaodong, MENA Region General Manager, GoodWe Technologies; Dr. Bu Abdulla, Chairman of the Abdulla Group; and Ahabue Ezekiel Botha, an Advisor to Edo State Government and foreign investment expert among other dignitaries.
Other notable people who received awards included Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa; Princess Sikhanyiso of Eswatini Kingdom; Faisal Ali Al Rashid, Senior Director, Demand Side Management, Supreme Council of Energy; Mohammed Al Ta’ani, Secretary General, Arab Renewable Energy Commission, Padmashri Sadguru, Brahmeshanand Acharya Swami, Spiritual Leader and several others.