In a resounding address at the 2023 Alaghodaro Investment Summit, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte, took center stage to applaud the remarkable economic strides of Edo State under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In his welcome address, Ighodalo hailed the deliberate efforts of the Obaseki-led administration in propelling Edo’s economy to unprecedented heights. He revealed a staggering growth of over 140 percent, soaring from $10.6 billion to an impressive $25.8 billion over the past eight years. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the national growth rate of 4 percent during the same period, emphasizing Edo’s exceptional economic trajectory.
The Alaghodaro Summit, themed “The Edo Story: Creating Shared Opportunities into the Future,” served as a platform for Ighodalo to underscore the significance of Edo State’s potential. He fervently stated that the state has the capacity to become a first-world economy, irrespective of Nigeria’s challenges. Ighodalo passionately articulated that Edo could play a pivotal role in dragging Nigeria out of its untapped potential, leading the nation towards a path of development.
The summit, he explained, encapsulates the essence of progress and forward momentum. The Alaghodaro phrase, according to Ighodalo, should serve as a profound challenge to the people of Edo, urging them to embrace growth and development as the driving forces of the state’s future.
Emphasizing the need for progress, Ighodalo highlighted the influx of new investments totaling $4 billion, sourced both locally and through joint partnerships. This influx, he stated, is a testament to Edo State’s capacity and determination to continue progressing.
Ighodalo’s optimism extended to the belief that Edo State possesses the capability to produce 70 percent of Nigeria’s imported products, providing a crucial avenue to alleviate the burden on foreign exchange. His unwavering confidence in Edo’s potential resonated throughout his address, reinforcing the notion that the state could chart a course of growth and development, pulling other regions of Nigeria along.
As the Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Ighodalo’s words carried weight as he urged Edo State to showcase the great hope for Nigeria through its progress. He celebrated the state’s capacity to perform exceptionally well and stressed the importance of the Alaghodaro Summit in setting Edo on a definitive path of growth.
In conclusion, Dr. Asue Ighodalo’s pivotal role in recognizing and lauding Edo State’s economic surge at the Alaghodaro Summit emphasized not only the achievements of the Obaseki-led administration but also the potential for sustained growth and development. His address echoed a call to action, challenging Edo to continue its journey of progress and serve as a beacon for the nation’s untapped potential.