Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday said his administration would support the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in its efforts at promoting investment in the country.
The governor said this in Ibadan on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the NIPC in his office.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NIPC delegation was led by Yewande Sadiku, the commission’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
Ajimobi, who said the state would offer support to the commission whenever it was needed, added that Oyo has all the requirements to be a Centre of business opportunities in Nigeria.
He stated that the latest effort of his administration was to make the state a hub of industrial activities in the country.
“We recently established a Free Trade Zone and an industrial park around it to promote investment aimed at turning the state into an industrial hub of the nation.
“The efforts were targeted at China as a country, because we believe that the Asians, especially the Chinese, have value for human dignity and respect for labour.
“This is against the European’s style of robotic technology which derides human life,” he said.
He said that the state government had secured the assurances of 154 Chinese investors, adding that seven had already commenced work in the Free Trade Zone.
Ajimobi also stated that the ranking of the state by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as one of the first five investor-friendly states in Nigeria from its 24th position in 2014 was a manifestation of his administration’s commitment.
Earlier, Sadiku said that NIPC would soon commence a programme on “Domestic Direct Investment’’ to encourage local investment.
She stated that the programme was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to invest in the country.
Sadiku expressed the commission’s readiness to work closely with state governments, adding the agency was responsible for encouraging, promoting and coordinating investments in the country.
“We are in this state to support your administration in its drive for investment promotion and industrialisation. We are seriously working hard to encourage Nigerians to invest in their own country,’’ she said.
She stated that the commission would in October hold a summit in Abuja to bring together stakeholders in the country on the need to drive local businesses and make Nigerians invest more in their own country.
“I want to inform your Excellency that we have come to serve and we cannot fully achieve our mandate without working closely with the states.
“We have worked closely with Development Agenda of Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission on a National Investment Certification for south west states
“Our mandate is to promote investment locally and support whatever attempts at making Nigerians locate their investments in Nigeria, to drive job opportunities and maximise growth,” she said.
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