Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has explained the importance of developing new strategic business plans in navigating complex economic challenges that cut across the nation.
Speaking while receiving a delegation of business development partners in Africa and Switzerland, the monarch harped on exploring new areas of sustainable investment opportunities and deepening collaboration in Edo State and Nigeria.
Welcoming the Group Managing Director of Arco Group Plc, Alfred Okoigun, John Davenport, President of Sulzer services, Europe, Africa and UK and Henry Craukamp, Head of ‘SSA region’ and Managing Director, Sulzer Pumps in South Africa, Oba Ewuare acknowledged their long-standing commitment to excellence, which has consistently helped in boosting Nigeria’s GDP and repositioning oil and gas sector development.
Oba Ewuare also commended the leader of the delegation for staying the course, building networks and investing in relationships that lead to opportunities with great determination and unprecedented strength over the past 40 years.
“We pray almighty God and our ancestors that we reap the fruits of our labour. We have been working day and night since last year.
“I know you are a hard worker. I am sure your contribution to Nigeria’s GDP is immense. It must be very significant from what you have been doing. We want to thank you for the vision. And this is the beginning, a new feather in your cap”, Oba Ewuare stated.
In his goodwill message earlier, the Group Managing Director of the company, Alfred Okoigun said working with the foreign partners, represents a remarkable milestone in local content development in Nigeria.
The managing Director of Arco maintenance and Engineering, Michael Okoigun – the driver of the partnership – accompanied the delegation to the palace during the historic visit.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/modern-condo-buildings-with-huge-windows-in-montreal-canada.jpg?id=59896652&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-rent-neighbourhoods-2025" target="_blank">Montreal tenants</a> may be feeling the pinch a little more than most, even as <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-rent" target="_blank">rent prices</a> cool across the country.</p><p>According to Zumper's latest <em><a href="https://www.zumperrentals.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/" target="_blank">Canadian Rent Report</a></em>, released on April 14, median rent prices fell across Canada for the sixth month in a row. One-bedroom units dropped by 0.8% to $1,835, and two-bedroom pads slipped 0.9% to $2,265. Year-over-year, those prices are down by nearly 3%.</p><p>But in Montreal, things aren't quite following the national trend.</p><p>The city ranked as the 12th most expensive rental market in the country last month, and while two-bedroom prices dipped slightly by 0.5% to $2,190, one-bedrooms actually saw a bump — rising 1.8% to a median of $1,720.</p><p>That makes Montreal one of just a few major cities in Canada where prices for smaller units are still trending upward, even as the national average continues to slide. For context, both Vancouver and Toronto saw rent prices drop again in March, with one-bedroom units in both cities now sitting below $2,600.</p><p><span></span>Meanwhile, the most dramatic rent decreases occurred in Quebec City, where averages for one- and two-bedrooms dropped by 5.7% and 5.8%, respectively, month-over-month. </p><p>Zumper's data is based on hundreds of thousands of active listings and gives a broad look at where the market is heading — and for Montrealers, the message seems clear: the squeeze is still on, especially for renters looking to downsize or live solo.</p><p>You can read the full report and national breakdown <a href="https://www.zumperrentals.com/blog/rental-price-data-canada/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong>Median one-bedroom rent (April 2025):</strong></p><ul> <li> Vancouver, BC – $2,500</li> <li> Burnaby, BC – $2,300</li> <li> Toronto, ON – $2,300</li> <li> Victoria, BC – $2,070</li> <li> Halifax, NS – $2,010</li> <li> Ottawa, ON – $1,980</li> <li> Barrie, ON – $1,850</li> <li> Kelowna, BC – $1,850</li> <li> Oshawa, ON – $1,820</li> <li> Kitchener, ON – $1,790</li> <li> Kingston, ON – $1,760</li> <li> Montreal, QC – $1,720</li> <li> Hamilton, ON – $1,700</li> <li> London, ON – $1,700</li> <li> Calgary, AB – $1,650</li> </ul><p><strong>Median two-bedroom rent (April 2025):</strong></p><ul> <li> Vancouver, BC – $3,450</li> <li> Burnaby, BC – $2,990</li> <li> Toronto, ON – $2,900</li> <li> Victoria, BC – $2,750</li> <li> Ottawa, ON – $2,480</li> <li> Halifax, NS – $2,450</li> <li> Kelowna, BC – $2,250</li> <li> Montreal, QC – $2,190</li> <li> Oshawa, ON – $2,130</li> <li> London, ON – $2,070</li> <li> Kitchener, ON – $2,100</li> <li> Calgary, AB – $1,990</li> <li> Hamilton, ON – $1,980</li> <li> St. Catharines, ON – $1,920</li> <li> Abbotsford, BC – $1,900</li></ul><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
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