The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, has called on members of the India business community in Nigeria to explore opportunities to expand existing businesses, establish new ventures, share expertise and forge partnerships with Iru Kingdom, promising them a warm reception at the Palace.
The monarch made the appeal in Lagos during a meeting with a delegation of the India Business Community in Nigeria, hosted under the auspices of the NRI Social & Cultural Association Nigeria (NRCAN) Business Forum.
“The doors of this Palace will remain open to those who come in good faith, with ideas worth sharing and a genuine desire to build something of lasting value,” Oba Lawal said. “History teaches us that great cities are not built by government alone, nor by business alone. They are built by people who choose to trust one another. Let us build a future defined not only by commerce, but by trust, collaboration and shared prosperity.”
To advance the proposed collaboration, the Oniru announced the establishment of the Iru Business Network. According to him, the network will serve as a meeting point for ideas, enterprise and partnerships, and will provide opportunities for business leaders, professionals, innovators and public institutions to meet, exchange knowledge and explore practical collaborations.
The monarch explained that the initiative was inspired by the belief that the combination of networking, relationships, trust and collaboration would ultimately drive growth in a community.
“Lasting partnerships are rarely built in boardrooms alone. They are built through conversations such as this, through mutual respect, shared experiences and the trust that develops over time,” he said. “To bring together people of goodwill. To create an atmosphere in which trust can flourish, because once trust exists, opportunity usually follows.”
He added: “Networking creates relationships, relationships build trust, trust creates collaboration and collaboration ultimately drives growth. Those four ideas capture the spirit of why we are gathered here. It is precisely this philosophy that inspired the establishment of the Iru Business Network.”
Oba Lawal reiterated that the role of the traditional institution is to build relationships, bring together people of goodwill and create an atmosphere in which trust can flourish, noting that opportunity follows once trust is established.
He further asserted that the Palace would use its convening role to introduce the right people, encourage meaningful dialogue and support relationships that contribute to the prosperity of Iru Kingdom, Lagos State and Nigeria.
The Oniru stated that the creation of the Iru Business Network reflects the Palace’s commitment to cultural and economic diplomacy and its conviction that great cities are built by people who choose to trust one another. He said the network would further strengthen partnerships that advance trust, collaboration and shared prosperity for Iru Kingdom, Lagos State and Nigeria.
The Oba emphasised that the gathering was about more than hospitality. “It was about friendship, partnership and building bridges between peoples that will outlive the present generation and benefit generations to come,” he said.
