Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the acting governor of Ondo State, revealed that the state hoped to earn $2 billion from the state’s ongoing investment conference.
The state government planned the three-day ‘Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit,’ which began on Monday, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission and other stakeholders.
The acting governor declared the summit, which was hosted at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, open, saying it was staged to entice investors to come to the state and tap into the state’s people and natural resources.
According to Aiyedatiwa, the summit provided as a forum to connect stakeholders from all sectors, encouraging constructive discourse, information exchange, and the formation of strategic partnerships that would act as a catalyst for faster development in our state.
He stated:
“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 confidence that the summit’s decisions and activities will affect future generations.
cc: Punch Ng
