Ehingbeti Summit will sustain socio-economic development — Gov. Sanwo-Olu
By Philemon Adedeji
In line with the ongoing work to finetune the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, the Lagos State Governor, Babjide Sanwo-Olu has said Ehingbeti Summit would be on a long-term sustainable socio-economic development of the state.
The Governor made this disclosure at the just concluded Ehingbeti Economic Summit held at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Monday and Tuesday.
The two-day event was attended by stakeholders in and outside of Lagos – citizens, businesses, governments, regulators, civil society, technocrats, academics, funders, donor community, and international partners – to exchange ideas, address potential developmental roadblocks and chart a path forward towards accelerating sustainable economic growth in Lagos State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Governor explained that the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052 plan is built around 4 strategic pillars –Thriving Economy, Human-centric City, Modern Infrastructure & Effective Governance – and focused on 20 strategic areas that would drive this ambition.
He said his government had made concerted efforts towards the conceptualisation and development of a comprehensive 30-year plan, with the ambition of transforming Lagos into Africa’s Model Mega City.
In his words, “As the race to the future intensifies, global cities increasingly play a critical role defining their nation’s progress and prosperity.
According to the World Bank, 56 per cent of the world’s population currently live in cities, and this is expected to rise to almost 70 per cent by 2050.
“In addition, 80 per cent of global GDP is currently generated in cities. Lagos is a prime manifestation of this – with a GDP that’s higher than the GDPs of all, but five or six African countries. Around the world, cities are facing a combination of threats and opportunities that are amplified by globalisation, technology, climate change, and even global pandemics like COVID-19.
“This long-term development plan has been meticulously devised to accommodate the best of all existing and prior high-level policy documents, transformation plans and development policies, including the THEMES Agenda. In line with the ongoing work to finetune the Lagos State Development Plan 2052, the focus of this year’s Ehingbeti Summit will be on the long-term sustainable socio-economic development of Lagos State.
“The implementation of this Development Plan requires purposeful and dedicated leadership. And our unwavering promise to you, as a State Government, is that we will provide the required leadership, to move from ideation to action, and to transform Lagos from Megacity to Model Megacity.
“As we look forward, Lagos State will continue to achieve its potential, which will be built on our resilience, our rich heritage of culture, innovation and entrepreneurship, and most importantly, our people. I am excited by what the LSDP 2052 has to offer our great state,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Summit, Mary Iwelumo of Price waterhouse Coopers (PwC), said the focus of this year’s Ehingbeti is achieving consensus on the path to sustainable socio-economic development.
“Specifically, it is the intention of the Economic Summit Group to introduce officially the Lagos State Development Plan 2052,” she said, stating that the plan is expected to play an integral part in galvanising the vibrancy of Lagosians, aspiring Lagosians and sustaining the state’s growth trajectory for the next 30 years.
“So over the next two days, we will listen to and engage with high-powered speakers, thought leaders and exemplary individuals on critical issues and solutions relevant to the socio-economic development in Lagos hinged on the various dimensions and focus areas of the plan,” she said.
