By Francis Akinnodi

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The Ondo State Commissioner for Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, Prince Adeboboye Ologbese, has disclosed that Ondo State is aiming to be among the top three most competitive states in Nigeria in terms of investment possibilities, rapid growth, and enhanced quality of life for its citizens.

This is even as he stated that developing the Ondo Deep Sea Port for export trade in the nation would not only stabilize the foreign exchange market but would also strengthen the naira and open up numerous employment opportunities for the young people in the entire Southwest region.

The Commissioner stated this at the ongoing three-day 5th Nigeria Diaspora Investment summit, tagged NDIS22 with the theme: “Optimizing investment opportunities for national development”.

This year’s Summit has Ondo State as a major focus and the numerous investment opportunities it has to offer.

He said the theme of the summit which is “Investment Opportunities in Ondo State” was deliberately coined in line with the vision and REDEEMED AGENDA of the present Administration of Rotimi Akeredolu and geared towards driving the key business potentials for socio-economic development, especially when technology is fast moving ahead of the nation’s crude oil as a means of revenue for the nation and the forex market is unstable.

According to him, the nation’s socio-economic development depends on partnerships between the public and private sectors, hence, the initiative aims to build those relationships while also boosting investment opportunities and encouraging synergy.

Ologbese said: “Because of this, the administration of Ondo State established the Ministry of Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations with the purpose of offering strategic advice and support to the government in fostering economic development and luring investors from home and abroad.

“It would interest you to know that proper engagement of our diasporas would drive the economic growth of this country.

“I am also confident that investors and businesses would leave this summit with increased knowledge about the opportunities for investment in Ondo State with greater optimism for the future. As a government, we are looking forward to the resolution of this summit for implementation.”

Earlier, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said this year’s theme was apt because it created that avenue and platform of a partnership between the government and the diaspora in attracting investment into local business and thus enhancing Foreign Direct Investment in the country.

She noted that since its inception in 2018, NDIS has lived up to its expectations of attracting Diaspora investment into local businesses in Nigeria, with bounteous success stories.

Meanwhile, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti said said the Ondo Sea Port is expected to play a role in contributing significantly to developing the state’s economy and its neighbouring states.

According to Oyebanji, findings have shown that there is a positive relationship between seaport development and the growth and development of the local economy and neighboring communities.