The Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other leading business figures in Africa pledged to invest in Imo State at the ongoing Imo Economic Summit in the capital city of Owerri.
The Imo Economic Summit, graced by world and business leaders, provided an avenue for strategic conversations on how best to invest in imo state economy as well as Nigeria as a whole.
Speaking at the event, Dangote pledged to make the biggest investment in the state, demanding details, location, and a go-ahead order from the Imo governor. He also seized the opportunity to dwell on the topic of investing in Nigeria, stating that it requires commitment and is very profitable for those willing to be committed to the task.
” We will be one of your biggest investors in Imo, so please tell us where you want us to invest, and we will do that immediately,” Dangote said, concluding his speech at the event.
Former president of the Afrieximbank, Prof Benedict Oramah, at the event, addressed the issue of trade financing, orashi dredging, and petrochemical projects in the state’s oil and gas sector.
The CEO of Zinox Computers, Mr Leo Stan Ekeh, added to the conversation, focusing on the digital sector in the state and the investments made by the state government in that area. He highlighted the role he played in convincing the governor to think about tech and expressed satisfaction in how the Uzodimma adminstration has invested robustly in the sector.
“We are already constructing one of the best-equipped AI Centres in West Africa in Owerri.” Mr Ekeh said. Local media reports that Holy Ghost premises in the state as the site of the ongoing construction for the AI data centre.
Mr Ekeh reminded the crowd that he is an Imo state-born and brought up, describing the event as more than a summit to him, but something personal.
Nigeria’s banking sector was well represented at the event by Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr Adaora Umeoji, Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Yetunde B Oni, Managing Director of Union Bank, and Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director of First Bank.
Other notable attendees at the event were Dr ABC Orjiako, Ogbuagu Ernest Nwapa, and Obinna Iyiegbu, Executive Chairman of Cubana Group.
