|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Ogun State, one of West Africa’s fastest growing investment destinations with a 20 million tons/ annum miming capacity for lime stone and a vast arable land, has the potentials to be Nigeria’s industrial hub leveraging mining and agribusiness to grow the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for job creation.
Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor said his administration will focus on the mining sector as it leverage on the value chain in the agricultural sector to leap frog the development strides of the state while consolidating on the gains made since 2012.
Speaking at the press conference to unveil the theme for 2018 Investors’ Forum “Consolidating the Gains, Accelerating Growth” in Abeokuta, the state capital, the governor said Ogun is open for business. However, for the state to grow sustainably there must be a shift from being a partial civil servant state to be the industrial powerhouse of the country.
According to Amosun, Ogun State is gradually moving away from agric into core agribusiness. “If we are able to get agriculture and agribusiness right, Ogun state will experience tremendous development,” he stated stressing that government primary objective is to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The governor further stated that his administration is redirecting the wheel of governance in the state to focus on Agribusiness, Industries, and Technology as catalyst for development in Ogun state.
“Our aim is to consolidate on the gains and accelerate growth. We want to concentrate on what we have achieved. We want to exploit specific growth and collaborate with investors and entrepreneurs. We are looking at human development endeavours. Of all these giant strides, we are proud of these developments in Ogun state,” Amosun stated.
Adenrele Adesina, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, in her open address said the state is today a vast economic hub with great potentials for the Nigerian market that would be fully tapped through partnerships with investors and stakeholders.
Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry on his part said about 304 industries open shop in the state. “Today it is a success story and Ogun state is the industrial hub of Nigeria; and our strategy is to become number one in Africa,” he stated.
According to Ashiru, based on a World Bank Reports on Ease of Doing Business, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) surveys showed that 75% of Foreign Direct Investments ( FDI) that came to Nigeria between 2016 and 2017 were domiciled in Ogun state.
The Ogun State Investors’ Forum 2018 billed for Tuesday 20 March and Wednesday 21 March will witness the convergence of speakers and international business leaders among whom are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Felipe Calderon, a former President of Mexico, to herald the investment potentials available in the state, as it open its doors for business.
Seyi Salau
