Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, on Thursday, declared the South-West Local Governments Agricultural and Mineral Resources Trade Fair open, reiterating the state government’s commitment to industrial revolution.
The 12-day trade fair, promoted by the Osun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OSUCCIMA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Commerce and BTG Africa, will be on till Sunday, November 28, 2021.
Recall that the Osun State Government, in September, announced plans to host a two-week South-West trade fair, aimed at showcasing the potentials of the State in agricultural and mineral resources, among other potentials.
This was founded on the resolve of the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to anchor its economic diversification plans on agriculture, mining and tourism, as announced during Osun’s Economic and Investment Summit in 2019.
It would be further recalled that the state, in September, hosted a three-day culture and tourism fair, which birthed the Adire Osun project.
Oyetola, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, described the trade fair as apt, adding that it was coming at an auspicious time when the Federal Government had instituted the Economic Transformation Agenda to pull the nation out of the unworkable monolithic, oil- dependent economy and deliver sustainable economic growth.
“It is therefore laudable that we have joined the Economic Transformation Agenda train of the Federal Government by putting up this Trade Fair to strategise, exploit and harness our potential in critical sectors of the economy. This is the obvious way out of the economic uncertainties. There is no doubt that we have the potential to boost our economy for the good of our people. What is left is to exploit technology to maximize our value addition efforts.
“It is indeed heart-warming that this Trade Fair is coming up again in the State after many years. With the hosting of this Fair, we are happy to break the jinx of over 17 years of inability to host a successful Fair. This is an indication that we are ready for exploits and we must resolve to make it regular and be strong on implementation for the sustainable development of our State and our region,” he said.
While speaking on expectations from the trade fair, Oyetola said it would promote accelerated development of commerce and industry, agriculture and agro-allied industry, while also helping to showcase made-in-Osun and made-in-South-West-States goods, indigenous services and technology.
He continued, “As we all know, Trade Fairs are veritable platforms for the advancement of individual, corporate and national ingenuities. This Trade Fair will no doubt help to showcase the economic potential of the Local Government Councils, particularly in the area of agriculture and mineral resources.
“In addition, the Trade Fair will, among other things, promote accelerated development of commerce and industry, agriculture and agro-allied industry; help showcase made-in-Osun and made-in-South-West-States goods, indigenous services and technology; promote interaction among manufacturers, marketers and consumers; attract investments from sister States; and encourage and expose Nigeria’s non-oil exportable commodities”, Oyetola added.
Oyetola also called on South-West States to look inwards by making the best of the Agricultural products and Mineral resources in their respective localities to generate revenue and particularly foreign exchange.
“This Fair, which is expected to have positive multiplier effect on the economy of the States in the South-West, is aimed at maximally harnessing the potential of each Local Government Councils in the South-West and showcase such globally.
The South-West States are basically agrarian. Thus, bringing all the Local Government
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