A former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, on Wednesday, stressed the need for more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to boost the business environment and enhance the rapid development of the country.

Igbinedion made the call during the commissioning of the Ultra Modern Lifestyle Value Mall in Benin City, Edo State, owned by a Nigerian in the diaspora and investor, Mr. Ken Ayere.

Commending the investor’s choice of Benin City for the Shopping Mall outfit, Lifestyle Value Mall, Igbinedion said the business environment needs more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as it would boost the business environment and develop the state and country.

“This is what is called Foreign Direct Investment. I encourage our people overseas to come back home to invest and create jobs. We need more of this development in the country, and I urge all Edo sons and daughters to provide job opportunities for the people and the country.

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“I can assure you that the money used in building the Mall came from outside the shores of the country,” Igbinedion said.

He added that he laid the foundation for the development of a locality that has now attracted several businesses and is regarded as an eyebrow area, popularly called Irhirhi/Iyekeogba community near the Benin Airport Road, during his tenure as governor of the state between 1999-2007.

Earlier, the chairman/investor of Lifestyle Value Mall, Mr. Ken Ayere, said he embarked on the business outfit to reduce unemployment among the people and to chart a new path in business models in the country.

He added that the development he has brought to the Edo people is a ‘work in progress,’ assuring that he will give more to the development of the state.

Personalities who graced the commissioning of the Lifestyle Value Mall include Engr. Greg Ogbefun, Mr. Alan Omorogbe, among others.