Governor of Benue, Hyacinth Alia said the state has extensive investment opportunities in the agricultural sector for foreign investors to put their funds.
Alia disclosed this on Saturday when he received Baroness Sandip Verma, the former United Kingdom (UK) minister of energy and climate change, at the government house in Markurdi, Benue capital.
He said the works of the former minister in the area of development in Nigeria and Africa are recognised, adding that he is confident Benue will benefit from her contributions.
His words: “In as much as you have heard about Benue, we have heard so much about you and your goodwill. We know about your tall profile and the good intentions you have for Nigeria and the entire Africa. I am convinced that you are in the right place.
“We are the food basket of the nation, and there are a number of things we do here in the state. In the past, we lost out on a number of opportunities.
“But for the work we are doing as a government, we want to bring to bear the huge opportunities for all of us as a people and as a state.”
While speaking, Verma, who is also a member of the House of Lords in the UK, expressed her gratitude to the governor for the invitation.
The former UK minister added that she considers herself a Nigerian and is willing to support the country’s programme to empower women.