Ondo summit’ll create $2bn investment, 70,000 jobs — Aiyedatiwa

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Ondo summit’ll create $2bn investment, 70,000 jobs — Aiyedatiwa

The Ondo State acting Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that the state was targeting to realise a sum of $2 billion after the ongoing investment summit in the state.

The three-day summit tagged ‘Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit,’ which began on Monday, was organised by the state government in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission and other stakeholders.

Declaring the summit, held at the International Culture and Event Center, Akure, open, the acting governor said the programme was organised to woo investors to the state, to tap into the human and natural resources the state is endowed with.

Aiyedatiwa explained that the summit served as a platform to connect stakeholders from diverse sectors, facilitating constructive dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the forging of strategic partnerships that will be the catalyst for accelerated development in our state.

He said, “To drive investments in these key sectors, the “Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit” aims to attract $2 billion in investments to Ondo State, create 70,000 new jobs, and engage with 100 donor partners and 1,500 investors.

“These targets demonstrate our ambitious vision for a vibrant and thriving economy that uplifts our people and enriches their lives. The response from potential investors thus far has been highly encouraging, with growing interest in exploring the investment opportunities that Ondo State offers. Our previous summit has borne witness to remarkable success stories, illustrating the effectiveness of this platform in attracting investments and fostering economic growth in our state and enormous value to our partners and investors.

“One such success story lies in the corridor of agriculture. Several investors have shown keen interest in agricultural projects, leading to the establishment of large-scale farms, agro-processing facilities, and fruitful partnerships with local farmers. Notably, the “Red Gold Project,” an agricultural initiative implemented by the Ondo State Government, has gained significant traction. This project focuses on promoting the cultivation and processing of oil palm, another major cash crop in Ondo State. The “Red Gold Project” stands as a testament to our State’s commitment to agricultural reforms and the empowerment of our farmers.”

Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism that the decisions and actions taken at the summit would shape the future for generations to come.

In her remarks, the Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), Nigeria of the United Nations Development Programme, Ms Fati Attahiru, expressed the readiness of UNDP to support and collaborate with the state towards building a sustainable and inclusive economy that would leave no one behind.

The Director General, Ondo State Performance and Project Implementation Monitoring Unit, Mr Babajide Akeredolu, in his own address, stated that the unit had played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders for the successful delivery of various projects including the Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit.

“Our actions secured the support of the UNDP and the European Union. Through these and many more collaborative engagements within and outside the state, the PPIMU has ensured that critical stakeholders are identified and encouraged to play crucial roles in contributing to the summit’s objectives,” Akeredolu explained.