Get Guardian on GoogleThe federal government has commendecd Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, for creating an investor-friendly environment that has strengthened the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial destinations.
The minister of state for industry, trade and Investment, John Enoh, gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the $1.8bn Lee Group Industrial Park, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, about three kilometres from the Sagamu Interchange towards Lagos.
Enoh said the growing interest of investors in Ogun reflected the impact of purposeful leadership and a business environment capable of attracting and sustaining major investments.
He recalled that the industrial park project had been stalled for several years before Abiodun’s intervention helped move it towards implementation.
The minister also commended the governor for continuing to pursue development projects despite being in the final months of his administration.
“I think that the judgment of history will be fair to this man. It will be fair to him. That’s what leadership is about. Leadership is not about the end of a tenure, not about the next election; it is about the future generation,” Enoh said.
He also commended the Lee Group for maintaining its commitment to Nigeria over several decades, particularly during difficult economic periods when some businesses chose to leave the country.
Enoh urged traditional rulers and community leaders to support the project, describing them as custodians of the communities that would ultimately benefit from the industrial development.
He expressed optimism that the growth of the industrial park would translate into improved economic opportunities and better living conditions for surrounding communities.
Speaking at the event, governor Abiodun said the Lee Group’s first industrial park in Ogun would create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, local suppliers and service providers.
He said the proposed manufacturing activities would cover personal and household care products, footwear, leather processing, food processing, bakery production and recycling.
The governor said the establishment of the Aspira flagship factory, S.F.M. footwear production facilities and other manufacturing operations would encourage the use of locally sourced raw materials and strengthen domestic industrial capacity.
He added that he was particularly encouraged by the project’s emphasis on value addition, backward integration and environmental sustainability.
According to him, the proposed integration of leather processing and footwear accessory production would strengthen local manufacturing linkages and create opportunities across the industrial value chain.
Abiodun said the investment’s most significant contribution would be its impact on employment and the livelihoods of residents.
He disclosed that the project’s blueprint envisaged the creation of up to 15,000 direct and indirect jobs when the industrial park became fully operational.
He said the opportunities would benefit young people, skilled professionals, artisans, technicians and residents of surrounding communities.
The governor added that the project would prioritise local employment, skills development, technology transfer and the training of indigenous managerial and technical personnel.
He stressed that residents should not merely live alongside the industrial development but should participate meaningfully in its economic benefits.
Abiodun assured the Lee Group that his administration would provide the necessary institutional support and maintain an investor-friendly environment to ensure the project’s success.
He also urged local entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, suppliers and service providers to position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities expected to emerge from the investment.
The governor explained that Ogun remained committed to consolidating its position as a leading destination for industrial investment in Nigeria.
He described the groundbreaking as a significant vote of confidence in the state, particularly with his administration approaching the end of its tenure.
Abiodun also linked the investment to the federal government’s Renewed Hope economic transformation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as evidence of continuing investor confidence in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the chairman of Lee Group of Companies, Sheau Fung Lee, said the groundbreaking marked another milestone in the company’s longstanding commitment to Nigeria, which began in 1962 when his grandfather established an enamelware factory in Port Harcourt.
He said the company had grown from its modest beginnings into a multi-sector conglomerate employing approximately 26,000 people across Nigeria.
According to him, the group’s operations include footwear manufacturing, with a production capacity of about two million pairs daily, a tannery in Kano, packaging, bread production, bottled water, laundry detergents and personal care products.
Lee added that the company had remained committed to Nigeria through more than six decades and three generations of leadership, despite the economic challenges experienced over the years.
He noted that the group’s continued investments reflected its confidence in Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects and its determination to contribute to the country’s industrial development.
From Azeez olorunlomeru, Abeokuta
The federal government has commendecd Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, for creating an investor-friendly environment that has strengthened the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial destinations.
The minister of state for industry, trade and investment, John Enoh, gave the commendation at the groundbreaking ceremony of the $1.8bn Lee Group Industrial Park, located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, about three kilometres from the Sagamu Interchange towards Lagos.
Enoh said the growing interest of investors in Ogun reflected the impact of purposeful leadership and a business environment capable of attracting and sustaining major investments.
He recalled that the industrial park project had been stalled for several years before Abiodun’s intervention helped move it towards implementation.
The minister also commended the governor for continuing to pursue development projects despite being in the final months of his administration.
“I think that the judgment of history will be fair to this man. It will be fair to him. That’s what leadership is about. Leadership is not about the end of a tenure, not about the next election; it is about the future generation,” Enoh said.
He also commended the Lee Group for maintaining its commitment to Nigeria over several decades, particularly during difficult economic periods when some businesses chose to leave the country.
Enoh urged traditional rulers and community leaders to support the project, describing them as custodians of the communities that would ultimately benefit from the industrial development.
He expressed optimism that the growth of the industrial park would translate into improved economic opportunities and better living conditions for surrounding communities.
Speaking at the event, governor Abiodun said the Lee Group’s first industrial park in Ogun would create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, local suppliers and service providers.
He said the proposed manufacturing activities would cover personal and household care products, footwear, leather processing, food processing, bakery production and recycling.
The governor said the establishment of the Aspira flagship factory, S.F.M. footwear production facilities and other manufacturing operations would encourage the use of locally sourced raw materials and strengthen domestic industrial capacity.
He added that he was particularly encouraged by the project’s emphasis on value addition, backward integration and environmental sustainability.
According to him, the proposed integration of leather processing and footwear accessory production would strengthen local manufacturing linkages and create opportunities across the industrial value chain.
Abiodun said the investment’s most significant contribution would be its impact on employment and the livelihoods of residents.
He disclosed that the project’s blueprint envisaged the creation of up to 15,000 direct and indirect jobs when the industrial park became fully operational.
He said the opportunities would benefit young people, skilled professionals, artisans, technicians and residents of surrounding communities.
The governor added that the project would prioritise local employment, skills development, technology transfer and the training of indigenous managerial and technical personnel.
He stressed that residents should not merely live alongside the industrial development but should participate meaningfully in its economic benefits.
Abiodun assured the Lee Group that his administration would provide the necessary institutional support and maintain an investor-friendly environment to ensure the project’s success.
He also urged local entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, suppliers and service providers to position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities expected to emerge from the investment.
The governor explained that Ogun remained committed to consolidating its position as a leading destination for industrial investment in Nigeria.
He described the groundbreaking as a significant vote of confidence in the state, particularly with his administration approaching the end of its tenure.
Abiodun also linked the investment to the federal government’s Renewed Hope economic transformation agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as evidence of continuing investor confidence in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the chairman of Lee Group of Companies, Sheau Fung Lee, said the groundbreaking marked another milestone in the company’s longstanding commitment to Nigeria, which began in 1962 when his grandfather established an enamelware factory in Port Harcourt.
He said the company had grown from its modest beginnings into a multi-sector conglomerate employing approximately 26,000 people across Nigeria.
According to him, the group’s operations include footwear manufacturing, with a production capacity of about two million pairs daily, a tannery in Kano, packaging, bread production, bottled water, laundry detergents and personal care products.
Lee added that the company had remained committed to Nigeria through more than six decades and three generations of leadership, despite the economic challenges experienced over the years.
He noted that the group’s continued investments reflected its confidence in Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects and its determination to contribute to the country’s industrial development.
