Makinde reaffirms investor partnership for Oyo’s growth

From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has reiterated his administration’s dedication to fostering collaborations with both local and international investors to drive the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

Governor Makinde made this commitment on Wednesday while hosting a delegation of Chinese businessmen and investors at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Welcoming the delegation, Makinde assured them that Oyo State remains a fertile ground for business partnerships, emphasising his administration’s readiness to provide the necessary support for businesses to thrive. He reaffirmed the state’s unwavering efforts to attract and partner with investors to boost economic expansion.

He expressed optimism about the potential for a mutually beneficial collaboration between Oyo State and the visiting Chinese investors.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Shanghai, Ambassador Gbadebo Afolabi, highlighted the Chinese team’s readiness to collaborate with the state on infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, and mining.

Mr. He Lixiong, Chairman of the Working Committee for Overseas Cooperation of the China Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, also addressed the gathering through an interpreter. He explained that the visit was aimed at forging partnerships with the state in key economic sectors.

The meeting was attended by notable Oyo State officials, including the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo; and Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Tilewa Folami.

The Chinese delegation comprised several business leaders, including Mr. Zezhong Yang, Dean of Qingdao Tourism Planning and Architectural Design Institute; Mr. Wang Fan, CEO of Sichuan Branch of China Machinery Industry Construction Group Inc.; Mr. Liu Xiangdong, Manager of Changzhou Sanxin Energy Company Limited; and Mr. Kehinde Adeyemi, Secretary of the Nigerian Kazakhstan Business Council and Strategic Partners.