Osun @33: Citizens Seek Paradigm Shift, Even Development

Citizens of Osun State have sought an urgent paradigm shift for the state’s prosperity dreams to come to fruition.

This, according to them, involves a redirection from the toga of a ‘civil service state,’ to maximally harness its potential in agriculture, mining, industrialisation, and comprehensive human capital development.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the citizens made the submissions in their various messages to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state, on Tuesday.

In a post on his Facebook page, the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority, Engr. Olalekan Badmus held that for Osun to reach its desired zenith, its talents must be harnessed.

Titled “Osun at 33: The narrative must change,” Badmus urged government at all levels in the state to encourage the youths who he said are better positioned to drive the developmental quest of the state.

The former commissioner wrote, “Over the years, the cliché on the lips of average residents of the thirty-three (33) year-old state — especially, to many of us who are young and industrious – is not something to be ecstatic about. Whenever they call the State “A civil servant state,” I seldomly nod my head to the assertion that Osun is an agrarian state.

“I even still feel that we are limiting the state by such a label. Do you know why? How could you tag a state that has youths who are young and energetic and have all it takes to drive development in abundance? To me, these statements (civil servant and agrarian) do not suffice.

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“We would only continue to short-circuit and also create a deception of laziness for our youths. Our youths are innovative, resilient, visionary, malleable, intense, and technologically savvy. They are a full spec, no gainsaying. isn’t it insulting for us to wear the garb of ‘civil servant and agrarian state’ in Osun, which has over 12 universities and numerous polytechnics and colleges of education?

“Talents abound in Osun state, and innovations and productive plans in the archive of our youth banks are so notable. We have such of these people abound, and all we need to do is to encourage them and put up policies and schemes that would enhance the ease of doing business,” the NPA chief noted.

Also speaking, a business owner, Ms. Deborah Ayeni advised the government to provide incentives for small-scale business owners to boost the economy of the state.

Ayeni is of the opinion that the young population of Osun are industrious but only need a pat in the back to flourish.

She said, “Osun is a blessed state. It is even interesting to know that we have most of the things other states of the country are yearning for. We have a bulk of industrious youths who are ready to do business and facilitate income for themselves without necessarily waiting for white-collar jobs.

“What the government simply needs to do is to empower them and offer grants. Due to the economic situation, most youths are not looking at the civil service. They want to make their own money. Osun Youths are resilient. We have all it takes to excel.”

A public affairs analyst, Mr. Wole Oladapo challenged the Ademola Adeleke administration on its agriculture policy, stressing that most of its policies in the sector will not make the desired impact.

Featuring on Redio Afinju’s Gbagede Oro programme on Wednesday, Oladapo noted that the state is blessed with vast natural and human resources to excel in agriculture.

His words, “What Osun needs is nothing much. We have arable lands and the infrastructure. Our electricity is one of the best in the country. Each part of the state is notable for its rich agricultural and mineral deposits. Look at Oyan in Odo-Otin local government, its land is suitable for Sweet Potato likewise other parts of the state that are fertile.

“We must learn from what other countries are doing to boost their revenue base. In other climes, they have successfully planned their irrigation models for the planting season irrespective of rainfall. This is the direction we should look at. There are viable action plans with the government. They should tap into it.

“Osun has the potentials to succeed but all of these dreams will not materialise when those who are supposed to act continue in the line of what obtained in yesteryears. We must plan ahead for the future. The time to act is now,” the agropreneur noted.