BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has advocated a collaborative business venture with investors and entrepreneurs from the United States of American, especially in the area of education, agriculture and energy.
The Deputy Governor made this known when he received the US Consul-General to Nigeria, Mrs Claire Pieangelo at the Government in Benin, saying that the collaboration was necessary to grow the state into a viable economic hub in Nigeria.
Comrade Shaibu who played host to Mrs Pieangelo and members of her entourage stated that to have an economically viable state, the Edo was keen at institutionalizing it’s industrial park and industrial hub through policies that would ensure continuity.
He said the vision was inline with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s plan at empowering citizens to become entrepreneurs and skilled professionals to drive down human trafficking.
He stated that beyond education, sports was a viable tool for empowering citizens, hence, members of the female football team, Edo Queens got guided and mentored at being role models to prove to society that females can earn a living through hard work to avoid being preyed on by human traffickers.
In the area of business venture, Shaibu stated that though the governor had already deployed his business acumen at creating opportunities for the state through the Benin River Port and Industrial Park, the American intervention was needed at providing movement and easy access to all parts due to the strategic ability to produce electricity with the nearness of these locations to gas.
He sued for the setting up of an assemblage or manufacturing car plant along Ologbo axis by the American automobile giant, General Motors Corporation (GMC) at the free trade zone to meet with international standards and to make the American presence felt in the thriving car business in the state.
Though he disclosed that plans had reached advanced stage with the Federal Government to construct the Benin/Auchi/Okpella Road which is a linkroad to the northern part of Nigeria, Shaibu urged the Americans visitors to key in and setup a rail line on the sidelines which would be private sector driven.
In her remarks, Claire Pieangelo said the team was in Edo State to spread the anti-trafficking and sports message to create role models who would prove to the society that there is something they can do with their lives.
She said that she was out to see to the reintegration of trafficked girls into the society, while expressing happiness that the state government was marking genuine efforts to stopping human trafficking and even educating the people on it.
She observed that during the outreach to American citizens in the state, she noticed that education, family and cultural ties were strong, a reflection of the society it’s nationals live.
The American diplomat was later presented with an Oba Esigie (1504-1550) bronze artefact and Iyoba Idia brooch to reflect the rich Benin cultural heritage.
