Osun Aims At Agro-Industrial Export For Economic Diversification

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has said the state will focus on modern agro-industrial exportation in the new year.

Adeleke, who unveiled the plans in his new year statewide broadcast on Monday, said the decision was meant to diversify the state’s economy from its present reliance on civil servants’ salary.

This, the governor said would be done through the provision of a functioning cargo/commercial airport with the target to grow Osun as an export-oriented economy, as well as, a global tourist destination, being the host of important Yoruba cultural assets.

Adeleke also recalled the successes of his administration, noting that it has successfully blocked leakages in public finance, addressed the corruption and revenue diversion in the solid mineral sector and restored local government administration for grassroots development.

According to him, in the outgone year, the government also embarked on mass water project provision, executed 91 kilometers of road construction, and implemented free medical surgeries with over 50,000 beneficiaries, among others.

On his plans for 2024, the governor said the “dream is for an Osun economy that gradually moves away from its civil service status to a modern agro-industrial based, creative industry-focused economy, stressing that such, “diversification with a functioning cargo/commercial airport will grow Osun as an export-oriented economy as well as a global tourist destination, being the host of important Yoruba cultural assets.

“We are implementing an ambitious state agenda which targets infrastructure upgrade, diversifying the state economic base and deepening the revenue structure of the state.

“For the infra upgrade, we are convinced that the state economy cannot attract the required investment to realise its industrial potential unless the problem of infrastructure deficit is addressed. Hence, we have started the implementation of the multi-billion naira infra plan that I launched a few months ago.

“For economic diversification, we are growing the creative industry; we are opening up the industrial sector; we are attracting investors in key sectors; and we are re-skilling our youth through the soon-to-be-unveiled Imole Youth Corps. To deepen the revenue base, we are tapping into the solid mineral sector; we are reforming the tax sector to eliminate multiple taxation while widening the tax base.”

In a statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke, who commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts towards economic restoration, noted that his administration was in collaboration with the National Economic Council, to support federal initiatives targeted at reducing inflation, cost of living and stabilising the national economy.