As part of efforts to develop the economic potential of Cross River State, Governor Ben Ayade met with a cross-section of the business community in London on Monday and also secured Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to advance the state’s educational sector.

The meeting which took place at the Le Méridien Piccadilly Hotel was also attended by Falcon Group and Footprint To Africa led by their CEOs Mr. Ani Wellington and Barr Osita Oparaugo respectively.

The state governor signed an agreement with two notable institutions from the UK: Schools Company and Construction Academy to establish Construction Academy in Calabar, a Teachers Training Institute in Obubra and nursery, primary and secondary schools in Obudu, which will be affiliated with UK universities.

Professor Ayade announced that the educational institutions will be established across the three senatorial districts of the state, stressing that his administration attaches significant importance to the value of education for the people of Cross River and indeed the over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population made up of youths.

According to Ayade, Cross River state, with a population of four million peace-loving, highly educated and elegant people in an area of 21,000sq meter is the ideal destination for investors.

He tasked the UK partners to build quality schools that will further help to raise future African leaders. He fixed 20th of February, 2017 as official hand over date of the Construction Academy site to the investors in Cross River State.

Mr. Elias Achilleos of Schools Academy expressed delight at the signing of the agreement, particularly impressed with Governor Ayade’s passion for education and his academic achievements and promised to deliver the highest level of excellence in the schools to promote the attainment of knowledge.

Also, Footprint to Africa currently filming a documentary on the Nigerian economy in partnership with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), agreed to partner with the state on its investment drive to produce a documentary that will showcase to the world “The Real Cross River” with massive but untapped opportunities.

Barr Osita Oparaugo commended the governor for his vision and leadership quality in conceiving and executing various landmark projects, especially the training and provision of jobs for unemployed youths.

Oparaugo noted that the economic documentary will further persuade investors to “Think Nigeria- Invest Cross River.”

The governor also met with South African project developing firm represented by Mr. Daan van Rensburg, owner and director of WAD Holdings who also represented Moravia Capital with a large portfolio committed to investing in the super high way and deep sea port projects embarked upon by the state.

The governor described the projects as economic projects with significant value to the state, Nigeria and indeed other neighboring African countries.

He noted the urgent need for new sea ports in Nigeria to ease congestion at the existing ports, caused by the massive importation for Nigeria’s market of over 170 million people.
He added that following the return of the country to agriculture and development of the mining sector, export activities were bound to experience an upsurge.

Ayade praised President Muhammadu Buhari who he said was committed and willing to see these projects succeed.

The Governor had earlier visited China and Dubai before London and is expected to continue his FDI drive with visits to three other overseas countries. www.footprint2africa.com