Co-Founder, Lagos Island Connect (LIC), Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, former Deputy Governor of Lagos, Otunba Femi Pedro, the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, HRH Erelu (Dr.) Chevalier Abiola Dosunmu, were among the reputable development advocates leading discussions at the first Lagos-Island Economic Summit.
The Summit, with the theme “Sustainable Youth Engagement and Development”, was organised by the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment in partnership with Lagos Island Connect (LIC).
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, explained that the Summit was part of a strategy to effectively leverage extensive human and capital resources to catalyse economic growth and development in the State.
“The forum will create a platform to discuss these key issues: Constraints, Policy Recommendations, Quick Wins and Priority Initiatives that will set an agenda for new models for deeper youth engagement and sustainable economies”, she observed.
Also speaking on what to expect from the summit, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, opined that it will foster a renewed commitment among stakeholders to the pursuit of economic growth that can sustainably create jobs, lift millions out of poverty as well as enable the region to realise its economic potentials on the global stage.
In her remarks, the Co-Founder of Lagos Island Connect, Ms. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti described the Summit as a people-centred approach towards identifying economic, social and political challenges.
“Lagos Island Connect (LIC) is pioneering the idea of bringing shared prosperity to every neighbourhood in Lagos-Island by exploring potential opportunities that would accelerate economic developments”, she noted.
Ransome-Kuti revealed that Lagos Island Connect, in partnership with the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals & Investment (OSDGI), has developed and will be unveiling a first in class ‘Two-Kilometre’ rule at the first Lagos-Island Economic Summit 2021.
The model, according to her, will encourage business entities within a two-kilometre radius of Lagos-Island to hire locally, particularly the youth and patronise businesses, especially youth businesses in the area.
The summit, scheduled to hold on Tuesday 16th November, 2021, will attract other outstanding personalities in the public and private sectors and youth leaders like the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Segun Dawodu; Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Akande; former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Olasupo Sashore (SAN); Managing Director, Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank, Mr. Ayo Olowookere and Lagos Youth Ambassador, Ms. Funmilayo Akanni-Shele among others.