We're making Concerted Efforts to Return Osun to its Top Commercial, Industrial Status - Governor Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has disclosed that his administration has been making concerted efforts in returning the state to its top commercial and industrial status by the developmental strides which are strategic in boosting industrialization and attracting investments to the State.

The Governor, represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, said this on Friday at the Osun State Special Day during the 2024 Lagos international Trade Fair, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos State.

The year's theme is "Connecting Businesses, Creating Value" which focused on sectors such as Technology, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Services.

While speaking, Rev. Jenyo said, the South West region must make efforts to tap into the vast opportunities that abound in various sectors such as Tourism, ICT, Agriculture, Automobile Production, Assembling, Components and Services, Technology, Industrial and Business Machinery, Chemicals, Agro-Processing, Mining, Gemstones Mining, Textile and Leather , among others.

He added that South West region has a large productive population and market for movement of goods and services in the region.

According to the Commissioner, "we must therefore use our resources to build our industrial potentials. One of the important objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) is to create a single market that will help facilitate the free movement of persons, goods, services and investments. If we implement our policies well and timely, our manufacturing and industrial sector will have an increased output and create millions of jobs in the region. It is also very important that effective actions are taken to adequately get MSMEs ready to leverage the trade opportunities in African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) within the South West region".

He said Osun State, being a Commercial and Industrial Hub in the South West should not be left behind in attracting investments in the commercial and industrial sectors as it is endowed with abundant natural and agricultural resources that are yet to be fully harnessed.

"The Adeleke led Government also conducted an Industrial Investment Summit from 10th to 14th September 2024, which accommodated various exhibitors from within and outside Osun State in all sectors of the economy, to promote production and use of Made-in-Osun and Nigeria Products to improve the economy of our dear State and nation, as Osun is now recognized as one of the most Investment-friendly States in Nigeria", he said.

He noted that the State Government wants to accelerate the pace of industrialization with a view to changing the narrative of being a Civil Service State to a fully industrialised State, hence, the revitalization of the Free Trade Zone which is planned to provide over 1,000,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people. Establishment of Markets with modern facilities, Establishment of Farm Produce Aggregation Centres with Cold and Dry Storage Facilities and Processing Units, Encouragement of Youths to key into Skills Upgrade and Entrepreneurship Development Training Programmes and Revival of moribund Industries among others.

Rev. Jenyo therefore stressed that Osun State is open for business and Investments from across the globe. "Osun state, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is always ready to support investments by providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive".

Gabriel Idahosa, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) noted that Osun had witnessed accelerated and sustained development in infrastructure, amenities, creation of critical public goods, and implementation of ease of doing business reforms.