The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, on Thursday secured a seat on the board of the World Free Zone Organisation (WFZO) in Dubai.
The emergence came when African participants and their counterparts from Europe and Latin America at this year’s World Free Zone Congress rendered block votes to Ogunyemi.
In his remarks, Ogunyemi 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.
He stated that the feat was a product of NEPZA’s strong management foundation: “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,’’ 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 dedicated to creating an environment of economic prosperity and trust, said NEPZA’s spokesperson, Martins Odeh.