DFID Says Osun Is On Right Path To Growth, Development

The Department For International Development (DFID) has lauded the giant strides and determination of the government of Osun to have a robust development plan for the growth of Osun.

This was just as the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Dr Olalekan Yinusa said the series of workshops for Sector Plan Development Teams approved by the state government is already yielding positive results as the state is on the verge of developing a robust development plan for the state in all sectors.

The DFID through its South-West Reform Facilitator, Miss Rachel Illah at a 3-day Envisioning/Capacity Building Workshop for Sector Plan Development Teams on Medium Term Sector Strategy (2019-2021) organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development said Osun is on the right path to development.

Miss Illah said the passion coupled with the machinery set in motion for development by the present administration in the state is very encouraging, as it falls in line with the guidelines and regulations of the DFID.

She explained that the desire for growth and development as portrayed by the Osun government is worthy of emulation by other state governors in the country, stressing that the most important ingredient of growth is the desire which the Osun government has demonstrated.

The DFID representative noted that the capacity building workshop is the right way to go in the move to crafting a development plan for any state, while explaining that no meaningful development can take place without a visible blue print.

She added that it is good to know that Osun is developing a blue print which according to her is being done in accordance with international best practice.

“I am amazed and impressed at what is going on in Osun, it is only very few states that do what Osun is doing. This is the best way to go if you want to achieve a real and meaningful development plan or blue print.

“This capacity building workshop for sector plan development teams is a pointer to the fact that the state really knows what it wants to achieve in terms of growth and development.

“I can see and feel the desire for growth and development by the people and government of this state and I can see through this workshop that the governor has been able to carry all stakeholders along.

“I am happy to know that everyone is on the same page in Osun, this is what my organisation clamours for, that everyone including the government share the same passion for development.

“This shows something significant, it shows the government in this state knows that it is not all about politicians, I am aware that this workshop is all encompassing, I can see public servants, civil society organisations, NGOs, market women and I have also seen members of political parties different from the ruling party in the state.

“It shows that government knows that the particular needs of the people should be the priority and not what government wants, a budget for development should be carefully drafted to cater for the particular needs of the masses residing therein.

“The happiness of the people should be paramount to the government in planning for development and the Osun government has taken this as priority or else this workshop will not be happening in the first place”, The DFID representative stated.

Declaring the workshop open, Dr Olalekan Yinusa said the recent steps of the present administration in the state has set the tone for the positive development of Osun and for it to be ranked among her peers in terms of development in the country.

While calling on participants at the workshop to see it as an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the state, Dr Yinusa urged participants to give in their best to the crafting of a better future for the state.

He said the essence of the capacity building workshop was to take the state to where it ought to be, while putting into use the missions, visions and core values that will be developed through the workshop.

Yinusa who noted that the 3-day envisioning workshop is a follow up to the recent programmes held in Iloko-Ijesa and Ede, emphasised that the pre-requisite skills gotten at the previous workshops will be of high value in moving forward.