Oyebamiji targets Dagbolu dry port, free trade zone revival for Osun growth

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Osun State, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, on Saturday pledged to revive key economic assets, including the Dagbolu Dry Port, Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oba Hills National Park and the Ido-Osun Airport, as part of a comprehensive strategy to reposition the state as a leading investment and industrial destination.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), made the commitment on Saturday while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, who paid him a courtesy visit in Osogbo.

The visit of the maritime journalists was facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) in recognition of Oyebamiji’s contributions to Nigeria’s inland waterways sector during his tenure as Managing Director of NIWA.

Addressing the journalists, Oyebamiji unveiled his Osun Prosperity Agenda, themed “A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” describing it as a practical blueprint for economic transformation, inclusive governance and sustainable development.

He said unlocking the economic potential of strategic assets such as the Dagbolu Dry Port, the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oba Hills National Park, the Ido-Osun Airport and the Osun Free Trade Zone would stimulate commerce, strengthen tourism, attract local and foreign investment, support entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities across the state.

According to him, the revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone would improve trade facilitation, boost logistics and position Osun as a competitive industrial and export hub within Nigeria.

“We will resuscitate strategic economic assets that have the capacity to transform Osun’s economy, stimulate private sector investment and create wealth for our people,” he said.

On poverty alleviation and workers’ welfare, Oyebamiji promised targeted social intervention programmes to support vulnerable citizens while ensuring prompt payment of salaries, improved working conditions and the restoration of dignity in the public service.

He also pledged to drive employment through public works programmes, enterprise support initiatives and strategic investments capable of generating sustainable jobs, particularly for young people.

The APC governorship candidate further said his administration would strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency to attract investors, develop industrial parks with modern infrastructure, improve the ease of doing business and position Osun among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

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He assured micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of improved access to microcredit, grants and business development services, while promising expanded entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes for youths and women.

On education and healthcare, Oyebamiji said his administration would modernise educational infrastructure, recruit and train teachers, strengthen technical and vocational education, expand apprenticeship programmes and upgrade healthcare facilities across the state.

He added that partnerships would be leveraged to advance universal health coverage and improve access to quality healthcare for all residents.

Oyebamiji reaffirmed that his Prosperity Agenda represents a pact with the people of Osun to deliver economic growth, social inclusion and lasting development through prudent leadership, strategic investments and private sector-driven growth.

Also speaking, WABOTAN President, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as a high-performing administrator, adding that his success stories at NIWA will be replicated in Osun State.

Fajemirokun opined that under Oyebamiji’s leadership, Osun State could emerge as a leading player in marine and blue economy development, especially maritime tourism via Osogbo Grove, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, among others.