Ehingbeti: Buhari, Adesina, Okonjo-Iweala Articulate Towards A Greater Lagos

By Joy Udoh

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President of the African Development Bank and newly appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization all took centre stage at the ongoing Ehingbeti Summit in Lagos.
Ehingbeti Summit is designed for businesses and individuals all over the world, looking to leverage the rich enabling environment and culture of Lagos State, to innovate at a scale.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina were among top public functionaries who headlined the Ehingbeti summit which kicked off in Lagos on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

As gathered by EKO HOT BLOG, the trio spoke on Tuesday virtually at the first day of ongoing three-day economic summit tagged “Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit 2021” with the theme “Setting the tone for a greater Lagos” at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

In his goodwill message, President Buhari said the Federal government is determined to open up opportunities through which the State can achieve its objectives as Nigeria’s mega city.

The President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari addressing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Summit virtually

The President commended the Lagos State Government for its partnership and collaboration with the Federal Government in putting together an economic summit aimed at improving the lives of citizens of the state and Nigerians at large.

He said the federal government has several ongoing projects in Lagos and commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his resolve in ensuring the development of the state.

“We want a Lagos that is United and ensure its economic prosperity leaves no one behind. I urge all stakeholders to come up with plans to achieve Lagos of our dreams,” the President said.

In a virtual question and answer session with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, newly appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala charged the state to invest in technology such as broadband for every household, embrace Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, ensure steady and sustainable supply of electricity and renewable energy/green to remain competitive in the next decade.

She urged the State Government to harness the depth of talent possessed by Nigerian youths of different extraction within the state to maximize the promise and potential lodged within a state which has built Africa’s most boisterous economy.

Also addressing the summit, President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said that it is high-time government began to see youths as assets capable of taking the economic narrative of the state to the next chapter.

The former Nigerian minister of Agriculture said the state should also invest in education by turning tertiary institutions in the state to world class institutions.

“Youths are not the problem of Lagos, they are the assets. The slogan should not be the young shall grow, but the youths have arrived. Youths do not need empowerment or handouts, what they need is investment.”

“The poverty level in Lagos has reduced from 30.3% in 2009 to 4.5% in 2019. 20% lives in slum. A prosperous Lagos will bring a healthier Lagos. A lot need to be done in tertiary education especially in science. We must turn tertiary institutions in Lagos to world class.
The climate situation in Lagos should be attended to urgently. There is slow need to invest more in transport system,”

“Private sector need to be mobilized to support the new Lagos. The taxes belong to the people. There must be accountability for taxes collected. I see a greater Lagos , a Lagos where visions are turned into reality and where women and youths thrive,” Akinwunmi added.