Ogun State Now Investors Destination Of Choice – Abiodun
..you the best Ogun has ever produced, Shettima eulogies Abiodun
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Sunday, said the 2023 Man of the Year Award by the Silverbird Group is a testimony to the efforts of his administration to reposition the State for more economic prosperity.
Receiving the Award held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Governor Abiodun reiterated his commitment and dedication to the socio-economic development of the Gateway State.
He said that apart from engendering good governance, his administration places a premium on a friendly environment and security for businesses to thrive, saying this has led to the influx of industries to the state.
“Our administration in the last four and a half years, has transformed our vision into making the State the investor’s destination of choice. We have also successfully implemented people’s oriented policies and carried out reforms to improve efficiency and service delivery, leading to the state being the most improved in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the country.
“We have implemented a multi-modal transportation plan and other infrastructure across the State. We have constructed well over 500 kilometers of road, built over 3,000 affordable houses, renovated well over 1,000 schools, and constructed our Gateway International Airport,” Governor Abiodun said.
While appreciating the management of the Silverbird Group for the recognition, the governor said the honour is a call for greater service to the people, pledging to build on the successes recorded during his first term in office.
He used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to remain calm in the face of the current economic challenges, assuring that President Bola Tinubu is working round the clock to find a lasting solution to the hardship.
Governor Abiodun dedicated the Award to the people of Ogun State, the civil servants, and his party (APC), as well as to those who have supported him since the inception of his administration in 2019.
Presenting the Award to the governor at the 19th edition of the Man of the Year Award, the Chief Executive Officer, Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, commended Prince Abiodun for the accelerated development recorded in the state since his assumption of office
The Air Peace boss emphasized that the Award was a reflection of Governor Abiodun’s commitment to the development and the fundamental changes in the affairs of the state through the ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda, which has engendered more growth to the state’s economy.
Speaking in an interview, the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Afolabi Salisu, described Governor Abiodun as an achiever, whose policies and programmes have transformed the economic landscape of the State
Also speaking, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, said the governor’s inclusive style of leadership has led to the improvement of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, which has turned around the socio-economic development of the state.
The Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, described Governor Abiodun as workers’ friendly whose policies has enhanced professionalism in the State’s civil service.
The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, including representatives of governors of Delta and River states, former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, members of the National and state assemblies, government functionaries, business moguls, among others.
Meanwhile, Vice President Of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON has described the ogun state governor,Prince Dapo Abiodun CON as Best Governor ever in the history of Ogun State.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2nd Extended National MSME Clinics, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
He further disclosed that the national Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) clinic would serve as a bridge between the people and the government, adding that the clinics would serve as lifelines for enterprises in the state and the country as a whole.
The national MSME clinic serves as a bridge between the people and the government, it is our desire to bring the government in close proximity with the people by placing all regulatory agencies under one group.
He said: “Each exhibitor present at the clinic today stands to gain from our MSME instant grant of N150,000 each, courtesy of our esteemed private sector and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I hereby announce that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that almost 200 new applications within this market be granted free of charge to small business traders for one year and each of them should enjoy a grant of N100,000.”
Senator Shettima noted that Ogun State is not only the industrial powerhouse of the nation but a committed supporter of the federal government’s efforts to support enterprises and empowerment.
As the keeper of its words, the federal government has transversed the length and breadth of the country to fulfill its pledge to the people across diverse sectors, he said.
He said his coming to Ogun State signifies the need to support businesses and transform ideas into commercially viable ventures, saying the 2nd phase of the Expanded SMSME Clinics is a strategic intervention to fortify the foundation of small businesses, which commenced in Benue State early this year.
“The clinics serve as a link between the people and government. Small Businesses are now afforded platforms to present their business challenges, and seek timely intervention of monetary agencies all in an attempt to eliminate the task of navigating from one agency to another in their efforts to build the next unicorn out of Africa,” Shettima said.
The Vice President emphasized that the clinics would serve as a lifeline for enterprises as it would offer immediate financial support to the exhibitors and provide small businesses the opportunity to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission and get their Certificates within a day.
Senator Shettima thanked Ogun State and the governor for their support to the federal government to bring the nation’s economy back on track.
Also speaking, the host governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said his administration has launched the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme (SILAS), stating that the scheme is a 1,000 Hectares Industrial hub provided with needed amenities like good roads, power, among others.
“The SME park is aimed at providing incentives to SMEs way below the market rate. There will be many incentives through industrial ownership and accelerated processing of their CoO which can be used as collateral for further financing.
“Other benefits of the park will include rebates on taxes and levies such as Land Use charges, building permits, land processing fees, etc. This park will cover agro-allied, agro-processing, home and personal care building materials and chemicals, food processing,” the governor said.
To support the federal government in repositioning the nation’s economy, Governor Abiodun said the State would offer incentives like conditional grants of N100,000 to 10,000 MSMSE, N500,000 given to 2,000 SMEs, and N50,000 to 5,000 market women in the State.
Special Adviser to the Vice President on Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Tola Adekunle Johnson, acknowledged the working relationship between the federal and the state governments, staying at the clinics was a means to create jobs for the people, especially the youth, naming Ogun and Benue as the two states to benefit from the programme so far.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, maintained that the clinics were meant to address the challenges facing small and medium enterprises in the state to find solutions to them, calling on participants to leverage on the various issues that would be treated to grow their businesses.
The Vice President had earlier commissioned the Modern Adire Shared Facility at Adire International Market Asero and the National MSME Clinics, Ultra-Modern Fashion Hub, Ajebo Road all in Abeokuta.
The Dignitaries attended the beautiful and successful program are
The paramount Ruler Of Egbaland,Oba Aremu Gbadebo,The Olowu of Owu,Oba PROFF Saka Matemilola,The Olota Of Ota,Oba Adeyemi Lanlege,The Former Deputy Governors’, Senator Adegbenga Kaka,Badru Salimotun,Yetunde Onaluga, Commissioner For Women’s Affairs And Social Developmental,Hon Adeleye Adijat Motunrayo,Hon Commissioner For Special Duties, Funmilayo Efuwape,Hon Commissioner For Forestry Hon Taiwo Oludotun Taiwo And Hon Commissioner For Trade And Investment,Hon Adebola Shofela.