By joshua 
Government, Private Sector Collaboration Enhance Opportunities, Create Jobs; Says Edo Govt.
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Edo State government has called on
the private sector to collaborate with the government to unlock opportunities that transform lives, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.
This is essential when the private sector works hand in hand by creating a system that ensures continuity, sustainability, and measurable impact for years to come.
Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omoh Anabor, stated this on Thursday evening while representing the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of the 2026 Trade Fair Pre-Launch Dinner hosted by the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA).
According to the Commissioner, his Ministry “is committed to working closely with BENCCIMA and all stakeholders in an environment built on transparency, accountability, and mutual trust.
“This is essential not just for the success of this trade fair, but for creating a system that ensures continuity, sustainability, and measurable impact for years to come.
“We believe that when the government and the private sector work hand in hand, we unlock opportunities that transform lives, create jobs, and strengthen our economy.”
In his welcome speech, the President of BENCCIMA, Engr. Omoregie Godwin Eki, said that the trade fair will among others “showcase indigenous industries and local content; promote agro processing, solid minerals, light manufacturing, and digital innovation; provide SMEs with visibility and structured business exposure; facilitate business to business (B2B) and business to government (B2G) engagements; attract investors into priority sectors; stimulate tourism and hospitality activities and generate direct and indirect employment.”
Omoregie stressed that “the economic prosperity of Edo State will not be built by the government alone. It will not be built by the private sector alone. It will be built by partnership – deliberate, strategic, and sustained partnership.”
Dr. Jonathan Oboite, the Director of the trade fair, posited: “Across our communities, there is immense potential-rich soil, skilled hands, and resilient spirits. Yet, too often, these strengths remain underrepresented in international trade.
“This Trade Fair seeks to change that narrative. It aims to build bridges between local and global, tradition and innovation, producers and opportunity.”
Hon. Austin Atakpu, President of the South South Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, who represented the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Engr. Jani Ibrahim, stated: “The private sector does not thrive on federal policies alone. It thrives in an environment where the state government provides security, infrastructure and ease of doing business. I am pleased to note Edo State has been making strides in these areas.”
The colourful gathering was filled with captains of industries, society big wigs, royal fathers, entrepreneurs, bank chiefs and others.