Natasha woos European investors, renews call for Ajaokuta revival

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has renewed calls for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, as she hosted four European ambassadors in Kogi State in a bid to attract investments and partnerships to the state’s cultural and industrial sectors.

The senator hosted the ambassadors of Belgium, Denmark, Italy and Spain on a tour of historical sites, indigenous industries and cultural landmarks to showcase the area’s economic potential.

Among historical sites visited by the delegation were Lord Lugard’s Rest House on Mount Patti in Lokoja and the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers before proceeding to Kogi Central, where they interacted with local artisans and experienced the traditions of the Ebira people.

Impressed by the tour, the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, described the confluence as a symbol of national unity and expressed optimism about potential partnerships with the state.

“Kogi is very rich, and we look forward to partnership,” Mengoni said, thanking Akpoti-Uduaghan for facilitating the visit.

Belgium’s ambassador, Pieter Leenknegt, also commended the experience, particularly the hiking expedition around the historic hills of Ihima, as well as the opportunity to explore the area’s landscape, culture and local cuisine.

The cultural programme featured a visit to Obeiba Hill, where the diplomats sampled traditional delicacies, including akara, pap and akamu.

They also observed indigenous production processes such as shea butter and palm kernel oil extraction, black soap making, pottery and traditional Ebira cloth weaving. A masquerade performance further showcased the community’s cultural identity and artistic heritage.

Denmark’s ambassador, Jens Ole Bach Hansen, expressed admiration for the skills of local artisans, particularly women engaged in pottery, traditional clothing and other indigenous crafts.

He said the locally made products demonstrated the creativity and determination of the artisans, noting that their work presented opportunities for enterprise development and access to wider markets.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the visit was intended to demonstrate that Kogi Central’s economic prospects extended beyond tourism to include indigenous industries, skilled workers and entrepreneurial communities.

According to her, discussions with the diplomats covered investment and humanitarian opportunities, with the hope that the engagement would translate into partnerships capable of improving the livelihoods of residents.

“To attract investment, we must give people the chance to see our strengths for themselves: our skills, our enterprise, our culture and our people,” the senator said.

However, the delegation could not visit the Ajaokuta Steel Company as planned because access to the facility was not approved despite a written request. The ambassadors could only view the complex from outside its gates.

Expressing disappointment over the development, Akpoti-Uduaghan renewed her call for the revival of the steel plant, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions.

“Ajaokuta remains central to the industrial future we want for our people, and I will continue to advocate for its revival,” she said.

The revival of the long-stalled steel complex has been viewed as an opportunity to boost manufacturing, create jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The senator thanked community leaders, residents and artisans for welcoming the delegation, saying their hospitality helped showcase the Ebira nation to the international community.

She also appreciated the four ambassadors, Leenknegt, Bach Hansen, Mengoni and Spain’s Félix Costales Artieda, for accepting the invitation and engaging with local communities.

Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed hope that the visit would lead to practical partnerships, expanded market access and fresh economic opportunities for women, young people, artisans and tourism operators in Kogi Central.

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