Osun 2018: We’ll develop local economy, boost agriculture, attract foreign direct investment -Oyetola

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the September 22nd gubernatorial election in Osun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, has promised that his administration will develop the local economy and attract foreign direct investment to Osun if he is given the opportunity to succeed Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Oyetola who is currently the Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola said this while speaking with journalists at his campaign office in Osogbo, the state capital where he also promised to make Osun the main hub of Agriculture in Nigeria.

According to him “I know that a high number of our people are traders and commercial entrepreneurs. We will develop the local economy, ensure free flow of domestic capital and build on the potential foreign direct investment that will accrue through strategic planning, development partnership and prudent management of land, labour, entrepreneurial and human resources.

“We will give further attention to strategic infrastructural projects; link up our township and city markets with other township and city markets in the southwestern region in particular and across Nigeria in general, all in a bid to expand the base of the Osun economy,” he said.

Oyetola noted that government alone cannot substantially provide infrastructure for teeming masses without partnering with the private sector. The aspirant promised that he would work with the private sector and the Nongovermnetal Organizations to identify and prioritize the socioeconomic and other needs of the state.

He also promised to deploy a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to consolidate work on the robust and strategic road-map of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to industrialize the State and make it a better place to live in.

He said with the PPP model, his administration would focus on upgrading facilities and infrastructure available for education, health, sporting activities, skill acquisition, poverty alleviation and environmental care.

He also revealed his plan to boost agriculture and food security by strengthening the laudable programmes introduced by the current administration. He promised to give incentives to farmers in the state by supporting their various activities along the length of the agriculture value chain.

“We have learnt good lessons in the implementation of our agricultural development programmes in the last seven and half years, we will use the lessons to leap forward and bring the programmes to their fullest potential’ to the benefit of our proud and hardworking farmers and large-scale investor partners.

“By the grace of God, Osun shall be the main hub of Agriculture in Nigeria. Our strategy for youth employment especially in the Agricultural Sector will boost food security, improve our revenues and reduce the dependence on the dwindling monthly allocations from Abuja.”

While seeking the supports of stakeholders and the entire people of Osun state to enable him succeed Aregbesola, Oyetola said “progress is a marathon. We need continuity, a continuity that will move us forward, and not backward. Here I am. I am ready to answer the call to service.

“I seek your support. I seek your prayer. I have been privileged to serve our state, Osun, these past seven and a half years in some capacity. I am now offering to step up and serve in higher capacity of leadership. I seek your mandate with all sense of responsibility and humility to lead our great State to further greatness that we all deserve and as God has destined it”, Oyetola said.