The Alaghodaro summit, organised by the Edo State government to showcase its achievements, began on Wednesday with the Edo women conference, the chairman of the Alaghodaro board, Asue Ighodalo, has said.

The summit is organised yearly by the Edo State government, in partnership with the private sector, to mark the anniversary of Gov. Godwin Obaseki in office.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the beginning of the summit, Mr Ighodalo said the summit was to showcase the progress recorded in transforming the state into an investment haven.

He stated that the Alaghodaro summit was a platform used to interact with business people to exchange ideas that could move the state forward.

He said, “this is the seventh edition of the summit and it is taking place in Benin between November 8 and 12 with the theme, “The Edo story, creating shared opportunities into the future.”

To launch the summit, a women’s conference is being held, as well as a cocktail on Thursday, November 9.

“The main will feature Muslim Prayers, State Awards and Dinner on Friday, November 10

“On Saturday, November 11, the Governor’s Golf Tournament, Food fair and youth concert will take place before the summit will be climaxed by a thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 12,” he said.

The chairman assured of a memorable outing at this year’s summit, adding that guests would be taken round the city to showcase the achievements of the governor in the last seven years.

He stated that the Alaghodaro summit was a fantastic innovation of governance that brought alternative views by way of recommendations, adding that a substantial part of its policy recommended to the state government has been implemented.

Speaking during a question and answer session, Mr Ighodalo said that the lack of continuity in government policies has led to the underdevelopment of most states in the country.

He noted that different governments came up with different programmes without considering what could be improved upon.

Mr Ighodalo explained that the problem became more pronounced since 1999 as politicians did away with the policies of their predecessors.

According to him, the only way the country and states can experience development would be when successive governments sustain the favourable policies of past governors and governments.

(NAN)