Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

4 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I hearings on an oil dispute, then going on to the United Kingdom. Years later, he recalled how impressed he had been by the schools and hospitals, inspiring him to resolve that such facilities would be available to his own people whenAbu Dhabi became more prosperous. The legal hearings in Paris were decided in favour of Abu Dhabi, signifying the enormous changes that were about to impact the Emirates as oil exploration got underway in earnest. By 1958, the exploration companies had discovered oil, with exports beginning in 1962. With oil revenues beginning to flow into the area, the people of Abu Dhabi become committed to realising the same success that was taking place in the oil- producing emirates to the north. With the legacy of his achievements in Al Ain already firmly established, Sheikh Zayed was the natural choice to succeed his brother as Ruler of Abu Dhabi in August 1966. His successful years in Al Ain were to be a model for how he transformed the lives of ever more people as the scope of his rule and leadership began to grow. With a mandate to develop the emirate as quickly as possible, the Sheikh was a man with a mission: he knew he had much more to accomplish to improve the lives of all his compatriots throughout the region. Having the valuable experience of ruling Al Ain, and taking time to develop his vision of further progress, the Sheikh knew he could leverage oil revenues into developing those services that would improve the standard of living for everyone. To that end, Abu Dhabi’s new source of income was channelled into a massive construction programme for schools, housing, hospitals and roads. Soon after, in 1968, Britain announced that it would leave the region by 1971. In a testament to his long-term wisdom and vision, Sheikh Zayed was confident that if they united to work together in harmony for the betterment of all, the tribes of the region could prepare to handle their own affairs. HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan President and Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates arrives at Heathrow Airport, London, 10th June 1969 at the start of his first official visit to Britain. (Photo by Tim Graham/Fox Photos/Getty Images)