OYINLOLA AND THE OSUN DREAM

BY KAYODE OLADEJI

      Theodore Roethke and Harry Emerson Fosdick are among great minds whose words on the marble have remained ingrained in the minds of many. To Roethke, “what we need is more people who specialize in the impossible” while Fosdick noted that the world is moving fast these days that the man who says it can be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it”
      Osun State, one of the south western states of Nigeria is peopled by about 3million population and is essentially an agrarian State. Before the incumbent Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola took over the mantle of leadership in May, 2003, the sing-song of the past administration was “ko see se” (a Yoruba word for “it is not possible”). Nothing was then possible due to their somewhat analogous mindset coupled with the politics of exclusion and excision they are known for. As a result, nothing concrete was coming to the State from the centre. Definitely no one can eat his cake and have it.
      But the tune changed, to a more danceable developmental rhythm the moment Oyinlola, an apostle of alignment with the centre, came on board. Though a strong advocate of true federalism, he believes that until there is a proper definition to that effect, we should all, regardless of our differences in political ideologies and parties, make the best use of what we have on hand as constituted in the present day Nigeria. No wonder today the results of such alignment are coming in torrents to the State of the Living Spring.
      Just recently, the Federal government approved a Free Trade Zone for Osun, which is specifically earmarked for industrial purpose. The multi-billion naira zone with about 2,000 hectares of land, will at full capacity, employ 450,000 people. Already, both the Bank of Industry and the Oceanic Bank in a tripartite agreement with the State Government, have 200 hectares of land, carved out for them from the zone tagged Industrial Park to be principally financed by these banks.
      Again, the State through its Livingspring Mining Company has just won major licences to explore feldspar and quartz in Lokoja, Kogi State as well as the Itagunmodi Gold District with mineral districts – ML 20501, 70507 and 10904. This too, will open a new vista of employment for many.
      Before now, banks in the State had to make do with the adjourning state branches of CBN in Kwara, Oyo and Ondo for their transactions. But with the approval of a Central Bank branch in the state, hardship associated with having to cross other states for such transaction, would be a thing of the past.
      Also, one of the benefits of mainstream politics to Osun state, is the citing of a multi-million naira Asphalt Plant for the South-West in Egbedore Local Government area of the State. The full development of this plant, will in the long run, have a ripple and multiplier effect on the State and its people.
      What of the NNPC mega station currently under construction in Osogbo? This will not only help in making fuel more affordable to the people of the State, but will as well check the excesses of dealers on ground who are fond of holding people to ransom through the creation of artificial scarcity.
      Related to this, is the cultivation of a 10,000 hectare of cassava plant by the NNPC in Ipetu-Ijesa. The purpose is to enable the NNPC, at the end of the day, produce ethanol.
      Just recently too, the Federal Government approved the location of the zonal headquarters of Rural Electrification Agency in the state. Under this arrangement, activities of the agency for the South West comprising Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and Ekiti States, will be done from Osun.
The long abandoned Osogbo/Ido-Osun aerodrome, is roaring back to life. Its completion will surely ensure the movement of people and goods in and out of the state at ease and faster pace.
      A number of Federal roads, such as Osogbo – Ilesa, Osogbo to Ilobu among others, have been tarred while the gigantic Ilesa and Iwo Water Dam projects are on-going. One can not forget in a hurry, the listing of Osun Groove as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It was the unrelenting effort of Oyinlola that ignited the interest of the Federal Government in that direction. Today, tourism industry is taking a new shape in the state. The list seems endless. Definitely, good times are here for the State and its people.
      Like Roosevelt Eleanor, Oyinlola too believes that the future belongs to those who belief in the beauty of their dreams. And so relentlessly, he has been highlighting the inherent potentials of Osun to prospective investors both within and outside the country. No wonder, a number of MOUs have been signed by the government with some local investors, corporate bodies, foreign countries and international organizations, cutting across the United States of America, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia and China among others.
      Also, plans have reached an advanced stage for a foreign firm to establish a ceramic plant in the state while woods and tube processing plant worth $8million from the United States of America is equally in the pipeline.
      Similarly, a firm from Israel has moved in with a view to kick-starting its waste recycling plant in the state. Again, the commencement of the establishment of a multi-million dollar tobacco company in Iwo area of the state, has reached advanced stage.
      The Erin-Ijesa Water Falls is soon to be lifted to an international standard. A foreign firm from China has taken up the challenge in this direction. The packaging of the falls is expected to be patterned after the Great Wall of China. The falls is equally expected to be used for private power generation.
      Beyond the rhetorics of politics of lip service, the governor is emboldened to embark on the crusade of come – and – invest – in – my - State, because of enduring structures being put in place by his government. Physical structures such as schools, roads, houses, hospitals, agricultural farms, water dams, and conducive environment engendered by existing peace, are in place.
      In the next few months when structures in various sizes and shapes across of the state begin to sprout, then cynics would know Prince Oyinlola has not been shouting himself hoarse on investment drive of his administration for the fun of it.

Oladeji is the Press Secretary to the Osun State Governor