The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government has, in the past seven years, reengineered Edo State for growth and development, and consciously laid a solid foundation for the State’s future.
This is as past governors of the State, including the immediate past governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who were guests at the 2023 Alaghodaro Investment Summit, commended the incumbent governor for his developmental strides across all sectors of the State economy.
Obaseki, while speaking at the summit, said the government focused on six thematic pillars including institutional reforms, economic revolution, social welfare, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and arts and culture, noting that the bold reforms have positively impacted the lives of millions of Edo people, placing the State on the path of sustainable and accelerated growth and development.
The summit in its seventh edition had the theme, “The Edo Story: Creating Shared Opportunities into the Future.”
The summit is a rallying point for stakeholders in Edo’s shared vision of prosperity and greatness to deliberate and reach key decisions that drive programmes, initiatives and policy of government, which have so far, transformed Edo to emerge as Africa’s most competitive sub-national.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include the Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, Chairman and CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte, Asue Ighodalo, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., former Edo State Deputy Governor, Mike Ogiadomhe and Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku. Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, among others.
Governor Obaseki, who noted that Edo has the potential to produce 70 percent of Nigeria’s imported products and reduce the burden on Foreign Exchange (Forex), said his government has attracted investments in agriculture, manufacturing, retail, health, arts and culture, tourism and hospitality, among other sectors.
Noting that his government has delivered on promises made to Edo people, the governor said, “In the civil service, we have introduced a Computerized ERP System (E-Gov). We operate the highest paid Civil/Public Service in the Country and have set up a world-class training infrastructure at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, trained over 6,000 of Civil/Public servants and delivered over 10,000 devices across the Service and delivered new infrastructure (workspace) to 76 MDAS in the State.”
According to the governor, “Since 2016, our monthly IGR collections have consistently increased as a testament to the conscious investments we have made into boosting our local economy. Our partnerships and popular ‘MOUs’ have set Edo on the path of financial sustainability. Projects like the Benin Port, and Enterprise Park, among others, will further impact the Internal Generated Revenue of the State for years to come.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, commended deliberate efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to grow the State’s economy over the past years, noting that the State’s economy has grown by over 140 percent from $10.6bn to $25.8bn
