SPEECH OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, OF OSUN STATE PRINCE OLAGUNSOYE OYINLOLA, AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF OSUN STATE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE HELD ON FRIDAY, 5TH OCTOBER, 2007
All Protocols duly observed,
I am highly delighted to be here this morning for the inauguration of the Osun State Economic and Industrial Committee. It is a known fact that before we came on board in May, year 2003, we have had our own Blue Print for the development of Osun State. However, taking a cue from the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) at the Federal level; Osun State Government formulated its own State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS I) (2004 – 2007) as well as its Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS I) (2004 – 2007) which are already being faithfully implemented. We have already started the review of the performances of Osun SEEDS (I) and Osun LEEDS (I). We have equally started the formulation of Osun SEEDS (II) 2008 – 2011 as well as the formulation of Osun LEEDS (II) 2008 – 2011.
2. After God has made it possible for us to be voted in by the good people of for the second term, we have decided to improve on our performance during our first term in Office. Hence, we consider it necessary to set up the State Economic and Industrial Committee that would constitute the think-tank for the rapid economic and industrial development of the State. The objectives of the State Economic and Industrial Committee include the following, inter alia:-
(i) to serve as the think-tank for Government in ensuring the sustainable economic and industrial development of Osun State;
(ii) to consider proposals and advise on direct foreign and local investment opportunities towards ensuring the rapid economic and industrial development of the state;
- to consider and advise on issues that are germane for the economic and industrial transformation of Osun State;
- to advise on how to reap maximum benefits from the exploration and exploitation of the solid mineral resources of the state as well as reaping maximum benefits from the tourism and cultural potentials of Osun State;
- to explore and advise on Inter-governmental fiscal and monetary relationships ;
- to consider and advise on issues relating to multilateral and bilateral technical relations with other bodies;;
- to generate ideas towards ensuring improvements in the governance structure of the State with a view to ensuring good governance in all ramifications and at all times;
3. It is considered necessary that the establishment of the Economic and Industrial Committee will no doubt assist Government to actualize the dream of our fore-fathers of making Osun State a State that is always a step ahead of others, having regard to the fact that the Committee is being established at a time when the proposed Osun State Free Trade Zone and the Upgrading of
Ido-Osun aerodrome to an international airport as well as other developmental projects are being actualized.
4. I have no doubt in my mind that with the caliber of the people that are members, the Committee will perform to the admiration of the Government and the people of the State. What we need from the members of the Committee include serious dedication, patriotism, zeal, hard work and high level innovation which I am sure, none of them is lacking. I therefore wish to urge the members of the Committee to ensure that they tackle with zeal all the problems that had hitherto been militating against the economic and industrial development of Osun State. We want to use this opportunity to reiterate the unflinching determination of our Government to better the lots of the good people of Osun State. We will continue to ensure that there are employment opportunities for our people, that there is security of lives and property in the state and that Osun State ceases to be a peasant and civil service state to become a prosperous Industrial State.
5. We expect to receive concrete advice from the State Economic and Industrial Committee in this regard. I have given approval to the Committee to co-opt any relevant people be it in the public sector or in the private sector including non-Governmental organizations that may be useful to the delivery of the task given to the Committee. I am also using this opportunity to call on all members of the public to make their suggestions and contributions on how to achieve the rapid development of Osun State known to the Committee. Osun State belongs to all of us, we should work hard and earnestly to ensure its progress and development.
6. Consequent upon the foregoing, I have the privilege to now inaugurate the Osun State Economic and Industrial Development Committee to the glory of God and for the benefit of the people of Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.
7. Thank you and God bless.
