The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has advocated collaboration between countries in the West African sub-region towards exploiting the various opportunities in their different economic sectors to engender growth.
Receiving members of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Republic of Benin, led by the group’s President, Jean-Baptiste Satchvi, in his office on Moday, Amosun called for the removal of artificial boundaries created by the colonials.
The governor, who said the meeting was to deliberate on how the state can attract investors from the Republic of Benin to Nigeria, suggested that agriculture should be given priority in this regard, as its value chain will create massive employment and wealth for the people.
He also stressed the need to focus on improving vocational education and technical development initiative that will make youths employable and productive.
Earlier, Satchivi had said the visit was to initiate a business relationship with the state.
He said: “Together we can explore the opportunities that abound in various sectors of the economy.”
He stated that Nigeria and the Republic of Benin will remain strong if they work together.
The President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, lauded the socio-economic development plan that has made the state a force to be reckoned with in the economic world.
Lawson commended the Ogun State Government for encouraging the private sector to participate in the socio-economic development of the state, adding that the wide network of the chamber across the country also creates the channel for easy trade relationships across borders.
