As preparations rev up for the maiden Edo State Alaghodaro Investment Summit, small, medium and large-scale companies are jostling for sponsorship slots of the high profile event which will host over 3000 participants.
According to the organisers, sponsors may be categorised into Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze right holders to accommodate the deluge of sponsorship requests from companies, ranging from quoted companies to small and medium scale enterprises.
With this development, the sponsors are well on their way to deflecting the state government’s financial commitment to the summit, by making it a private-sector driven event.
The scampering for sponsorship rights is a fallout of the huge interest in the summit by investment gurus, manufacturers and industrialists, who are aiming to exploit the state’s enormous potential.
The summit also recently got a boost with the endorsement by the London Stock Exchange (LSE), representatives of which would be at the event next month.
It was gathered that entrepreneurs, artists, micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), conglomerates, stock exchanges, Nigerians in the Diaspora and many more are among those jostling for sponsorship slot.
Alaghodaro, which means ‘progress,’ is a brand-child of the state government to showcase investment potential in its 30-year grand plan and will provide business leaders, industrialists, the academia and investors opportunity to key into the plans.
The three-day summit will hold from November 10 to 12, at Edo Hotels, Okada Avenue, Benin City.
Recall that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, inaugurated the organising committee for the summit at the Government House, in Benin City, recently.
Headed by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the organising committee will coordinate planning and ensure the smooth running of the summit.
Enquiries for intending sponsors at the event Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Secretariat showed that aside the manufacturing heavyweights already signed up to attend, entrepreneurs are showing immense interest in participating at the event.
Businesses and companies domiciled in the state are also putting their books in order to showcase prospects for partnership and collaboration.
Dignitaries expected at the summit include President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Minister for Industry, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.
Others are former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and current chairman of the Taskforce for the implementation of the Edo State Anti-Community Development Association Law, Solomon Arase; Senator Ben Murray Bruce, and many more.
International companies billed to attend the event are General Electric (GE) of the United States (US), Mahindra Group of India, Tolaram Group of Singapore, Olam Group, Indorama, among others.
