Osun Economic Summit To Align Development Plan With Private Sector Needs

The Osun State Government will use its economic and investment summit to align its development agenda with private sector needs, Summit Planning co-chairman, Prof Olalekan Yinusa, has said.

Yinusa, who supervises the Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, said the summit was expected to attract investments in critical growth sectors, thereby leading to economic prosperity and growth in the state.

He spoke while reviewing the plans for the June 25-27 Summit slated for Osogbo, the state capital.

The Osun State Governor,  Adegboyega Oyetola, in his inauguration address, promised to organise a summit to bring together the state government  and potential local and international investors on areas of possible collaboration and partnerships.

A statement quoted Yinusa as saying, “The summit will not be a talk-show, but will comprise mainly of plenary sessions, having up to 52 key economic drivers in the country as speakers, panelists and moderators.”

The Chairman of First Bank Plc, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, is one of the key business leaders who have confirmed their participation, according to the statement.

Also confirmed to participate among others, are the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Asue Ighodalo; the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Transmission Company of Nigeria,  Mr Usman Mohammed.

Yinusa gave the main focus of the summit as agriculture; mining; Information and Communications Technology/Innovation Hub; Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Youth and Jobs; Infrastructure/Public-private Partnership; Industry, Commerce and Market; Healthcare; Technical and Vocation Education; Environment (Waste to Wealth), and Service Delivery frameworks.

The statement read in part, “Oyetola will present the economic roadmap of his administration and showcase investment opportunities to prospective investors and partners at the summit.”

It further quoted Yinusa as saying,  “This summit will reflect some specific roadmap on how Osun economy should be run in fulfilment of the governor’s electoral campaign promises to run all inclusive, participatory and people-oriented government.

“It will serve as an intellectual economic forum where cross- fertilisation of ideas, opinions and views that will help to chart a new course and a workable economic roadmap.”

THE PUNCH