Our Govt Building Enabling Environment For Businesses To Thrive - Makinde

Governor 'Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Tuesday, said that his administration has been formulating and implementing policies that have helped the state to build an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and prosper in the state.

The governor maintained that in less than three years of  his administration, the state has witnessed significant improvements in its investment outlook and that these have brought many positive results to the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, as saying this during the launch of a N200m Farmers' Fund by the British American Tobacco, Ibadan.

He said: "I understand that this state-of-the-art factory, the largest tobacco manufacturing facility in West and Central Africa, which was commissioned and began operations on June 17, 2003, has attained the capacity to produce 100 million sticks of cigarette per day for export to 14 countries.

"Oyo State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, fnse, has witnessed significant improvements in the investment outlook. Our Quarter 1, 2021 Business Expectation Survey indicates that businesses in Oyo State maintain a positive outlook despite the national challenges, with over 70 per cent positive outlook and confidence.

"As a government, we remain committed to supporting businesses via the provision of adequate infrastructure and security. Our administration will continue to foster an enabling business environment for human and material capital to thrive and prosper.

"This, to us, is an essential ingredient in our expanded economy drive that will take our people from poverty to prosperity. The unique out-grower model used by BATN over the years, has contributed immensely to the economic well-being of many farmers in the state.

"The N200m Farmers' Fund instituted by BATN Foundation in partnership with IITA, is therefore, a step in the right direction towards cushioning the impact of the company's operations on farmers whose livelihoods were affected by the decision to discontinue tobacco cultivation in Oyo State, Nigeria.

"I, therefore, use this medium to urge the BATN to ramp up efforts for continued improvement in the livelihoods of farmers and other stakeholders along the value chain."

Earlier, the Area Director for British American Tobacco in West and Central Africa, Yarub Al- Bahrani, said that BAT  relies on the successful delivery of all its sustainability priorities across the environment, social impact, and governance landscape to create shared value for consumers, society, employees and shareholders.

“BAT has also set ambitious targets and continues to achieve them including: 100 per cent recycling, zero waste to government landfill, green fuel (CNG independent power plant) for power generation, water recycling for horticulture and zero loss time accidents from the factory operations.

"The Two Hundred Million Naira Farmers' Fund, which His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, formally launched today, was established by BAT as a social impact initiative for the benefit of rural smallholder farmers in the Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State.

“The Fund, which is administered by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is to support the farmers who grew and sold tobacco leaf to BAT over the years, to transition into the production of food crops, following the discontinuation of its leaf farming programme.”

Buhari will leave Nigeria better than he met it - Amosun

The former governor of Ogun state and senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun has affirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari has done more good for the country and will leave office a hero. He described leadership as the major problem confronting Nigeria while commending President Buhari for being fair to Nigerians. 

Amosun while juxtaposing the six years administration of the APC with the sixteen years rule of the PDP at the 2021 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo Council in Ibadan, noted that Nigeria has fared well under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari's six years reign and the progress is visible for all to see. 

He posited that the current issues confronting the country, most especially insecurity, were as a result of the sixteen years misrule of the PDP, he thereby urged all Nigerians to support President Buhari as he continued to battle the many problems facing the nation. 

"Agriculture and infrastructure have been the major focus of the Buhari's administration. The farmers have obtained more friendly loan packages than before. Nigeria rail system was regarded as the worst in Africa before the Buhari's emergence in 2015. Buhari has initiated, completed and delivered remarkable major rail netwroks and Nigeria now has the best rail system in West Africa with thousands of jobs created". 

He further stated that; "President Muhammadu Buhari has done so much good for the nation and when he leaves office in 2023, he would have done more good for the nation than any other government before him". 

Amosun, who was represented by Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa at the event was also honoured with an award of excellence as the Nation's BridgeBuilder and Icon of Progressive Bloc by the Union. The award was presented by Dr. (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, the wife of former governor of Oyo State, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi for his progressive ingenuity, friendly administrative policies and expanding cooperation among the APC chieftains across the country. 

Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s team who attended the event included Professor Adeolu Akande (Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission) who was also the Chairman of the occasion, Alh. Bola Adeyemi, Chief Wole Elegbede, Hon. Raheem Ajayi Baglo, Dr. Oye; among others.

Seyi Makinde, Alaafin, Gani Adams To Grace Ogbomoso Ajilete Carnival 2021

Eminent personalities and cultural enthusiasts including the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, among others, are expected to grace this year's Ajilete Carnival in Ogbomoso. 

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade; Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran Lagbami Osekun and Olugbon of Orile Igbon, and other traditional rulers are also expected to grace the event. 

According to the Chief organizer, Hon Akinwale Akinwole, Otunba Olusegun Ogunwuyi, the Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, is the Chief Host. 

In a statement signed by Ogbomoso Ajilete Carnival Concept, the event is scheduled to hold on 26th December, 2021at Recreation Club along old Ogbomoso-Ilorin road. 

Akinwole said the change of venue from Ogbomoso Township Stadium to Recreation Club is to avoid distractions on the upgrading of the Ogbomoso township stadium. 

He added that "To encourage more participation, we have added raffle draw and dancing competition to the event and winners will go home with a lot of prices and special gifts. 

The Ogbomoso-born entrepreneur and Chairman, Ogbomoso United Football Club, maintained that apart from the cultural display, masquerade dance, the Fuji music exponent, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma; Abolore Akande; 9Ice and many other local artists are billed to perform during the event.