Benin – The British Government has felicitated with the incoming Oba of Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, the Government and people of Edo.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright delivered the message when he visited Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo in Benin on Wednesday.

Arkwright said he was in the state with his wife Tricia to witness the coronation of Eheneden as the new Oba of Benin as well as convey the greetings of the Queen of England to the crown prince.

He said he had been in the country for one year as the British High Commissioner but was in the state for the first time.

He expressed the interest of the British Government to foster bilateral relationship with Edo.

He said his country was interested in what business British companies can venture into to curtail unemployment in the state and commended the achievements of outgoing Oshiomhole’s administration in the last eight years,.

Oshiomhole said the coronation was extremely important to the people hence the declaration of Thursday as public holiday in the state.

He also said Thursday would be the first time in the history of the state that an elected governor would be presenting a staff of office to an Oba.

He said Edo was one of the few states in the country where traditional stool was not in dispute, adding that every indigene has positive disposition to the event.

He further said that the state was keen on how to strengthen relationships and the need to be less dependent on revenue from oil by creating the enabling environment for investors.

Oshiomhole said it would be the pleasure of government to see how more investors could be attracted from UK to the state.