From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
African participants and their counterparts from Europe and Latin America at this year’s World Free Zone Congress rendered block votes that led to the election of Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, MD/CEO NEPZA, to the Board of the World Free Zone Organisation (WFZO) in Dubai.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued in Abuja by the Head of Corporate Communications of NEPZA, Martins Odeh, PhD said that the Management of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority views this concerted goodwill as a statement of confidence on the country’s foremost Free Trade Zones leadership.
Dr Ogunyemi, in his remarks, expressed delight at the overwhelming support from all the voting blocs that led to his victory in the election conducted on Wednesday at the body’s 10th Annual Congress.
The NEPZA Chief Executive also, stated that the feat was a product of the Authority’s strong management foundation and the recent huge investment made to the scheme by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, adding that those efforts were now been noticed by free trade zone global community.
“Nigeria remains a strong nation with an excellent image and the capacity to lead on the global stage. This was the story of my victory.
“My victory came after I had canvassed for the support of all African colleagues and members from some European and Latin American countries.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in this. I will, however, reciprocate these gestures by contributing my quota to the growth of the organisation.
“The World Free Zone Organisation remains the melting point for Foreign Direct Investments opportunities and therefore, Nigeria and other African countries shall seize this opportunity of my being on the board now to improve on strategies to attract more FDIs to the continent.’’Dr Ogunyemi said.
The WFZO is the umbrella body of countries that own and manage the Free Trade Zone Scheme. The body creates long-standing partnerships that are dedicated to creating an environment of economic prosperity and trust.
Similarly, the body operates Four Divisions that include a Laboratory, an Institute, a Network, as well as an Academy.
