Ondo to create $2bn investment, 70,000 jobs

Ondo State's acting governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated that the $2 billion figure was the state's goal for the current investment conference.

The state government, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission and other stakeholders, planned the three-day meeting, dubbed the "Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit," which got underway on Monday.

The summit was opened by the acting governor, who said it was staged to attract investors to the state and take advantage of its abundant natural and human resources. The summit was hosted at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure.

According to Aiyedatiwa, the summit served as a forum to bring together stakeholders from all sectors, promoting fruitful discussion, knowledge exchange, and the formation of strategic alliances that would serve as the impetus for faster growth 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 hope that the summit's decisions and activities would have a lasting impact on future generations.

Source