Dokubo-Asari commends Benin’s hospitality, investor-friendly policies

By Abubakar Yunusa

Elem Kalabari monarch, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has commended the Republic of Benin for the country’s investor-friendly policies.

The monarch spoke at the historic transition of power in the Republic of Benin, which took place at the Palais des Congrès de Cotonou, where the outgoing President, Patrice Talon, formally handed over leadership to the newly inaugurated President, Ramona Wadagni.

Dokubo-Asari described the Republic of Benin as a country that had shown him “warmth, acceptance and friendship” over the years.

“The Republic of Benin has been a second home to me. I have always enjoyed the hospitality of the great people of this country, and I am here on the invitation of the President to honour him and this great nation,” he said.

The event attracted over 6,000 guests, including world leaders, diplomats, royals, business executives and traditional rulers from across the globe.

The traditional ruler is regarded as having maintained business and educational interests in the Republic of Benin for over two decades, including ownership of King Amachree International Children’s School, which has hosted students from countries such as Congo, Togo, Ghana and Nigeria. He is also reported to have investments in sectors including real estate and hospitality within the country.

Meanwhile, days before the inauguration, Dokubo-Asari reportedly stopped at the Seme border while travelling into the Republic of Benin, where he exchanged pleasantries with the newly appointed Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration and posed for photographs alongside members of his delegation.

Dokubo-Asari’s attendance at the event was linked to his longstanding relationship with President Wadagni and his decades-long ties with the Republic of Benin. He was accompanied by a delegation of Kalabari chiefs and associates, including Se-Alabo EMI Membere-Otaji, managing director of Elscon Group and deputy national president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

Others in the entourage were Se-Opu Alabo Dr David T. Briggs, Deuin-Ala XII of Kalabari and paramount chief of the Ancient Deuin-Ala Chieftaincy House (1968), as well as Prince Tonye T. J. T. Princewill, Da OGO VI and head of the Queen Elababene/Da OGO Group of Houses of the Kalabari Kingdom.