As Edo readies for the Alaghodaro Summit 2023, big-ticket investors including the Dangote Group, Okomu Plc, Nosak Group and Presco Plc, among others who are key players in the State’s economy, have declared interest to wholly participate in the summit scheduled to take place in Benin City, the Edo State capital between November 8 and 12, 2023.
The economic summit has, over the past seven years, grown to become one of Nigeria’s most strategic and high-impact discourses on investment, birthing a number of investment decisions, including the N69 billion Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP) Project, establishment of two modular refineries which are currently refining crude in the State, ongoing development of the Benin Port Project, and the set-up of two ethanol plants in the State, among others.
The 2023 edition with the theme, “The Edo Story: Creating Shared Opportunities into the Future,” will focus on the numerous achievements of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government over the past seven years, highlighting how the state government has harnessed strategic partnerships across various sectors of the State’s economy to build a solid socio-economic base that is now positively impacting the lives of millions of Edo people.
In a statement, the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee and Executive Secretary, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Limited/Gte, Eire Ifueko Alufohai, said this year’s summit promises to be exciting, as it will showcase a number of the transformative policies and programmes by the state government that has eased up the space for private investment and placed Edo State on the path of sustainable and accelerated growth and development.
He stated, “Over the past three years, we’ve successfully drawn numerous businesses to the state, concurrently enhancing its business-friendly environment, fostering expansion, and boosting productivity.”
According to her, “Governor Obaseki has been relentless in his pursuit to attract investments into Edo State, ensuring a conducive and business-friendly environment to boost business growth and stimulate economic growth and development.
“Businesses and several investors have benefitted immensely from these efforts by the State Government, benefitting from the reforms in education, investment promotion, infrastructure and energy that have been implemented over these seven years.
“Some of these people have thrown their full weight behind the 2023 Alaghodaro Summit, including key players in the local economy like Dangote Group, Presco Plc, Okomu Plc, Nosak Group, Saro Africa and a long list of others.
“These companies have confirmed their attendance at this year’s summit to share insights on how they have gained from the business-friendly policies and reforms by the Government with a strategic focus on expansion and sustainability of these investments for long-term economic prosperity and advancement.”
Alufohai noted that the 2023 Alaghodaro has been packed with several activities to make it exciting and memorable, with the desired goal of engendering sustainable development in Edo State for future generations.
Some of the activities include the Edo Women Conference scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2023, which will be followed by the Benin City Tour and Cocktail on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
She added, “On Friday, November 10, 2023, will be the main Alaghodaro Summit, Muslim Prayers, Award and Dinner, while the Governor’s Golf Tournament, Food Tour and Youth Concert will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023. The event will end on Saturday, November 12, 2023, with the Thanksgiving Service.”
