Osun, Centre For Agro Allied Industry In Nigeria – Osinbajo

By Fatai Akanji

Nigeria’s  Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has described  Osun State as a centre for agro allied and manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

While speaking at the launching of Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo,  Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said small scale enterprise are critical to nation economic development.

According to him ‘’ micro, small and medium scale are the engine of growth of Nigeria and we will ensure to uplift the poor people in the state to meet up to standard in the society.’

Osinbajo said more than N50,000 has been distributed to more than 3,000 small and medium scale enterprise owners in the state under the Federal Government/Osun MSME Programme.

“The programme is already on in nine states of the federation to also give about 200 specially selected small business.

He, however, assured the people of the country of more dividends of democracy.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbsola said for those ready to do business, there are abundant opportunities to create wealth and urged citizens of the state to key into GEEP to improve their businesses.

Also speaking,  the Executive Director of Bank of Industry, Toyin Adeniji said that the Federal Government through this initiative targeted empowering over one million Nigerians by 2018.

Presently, Adeniji said over 400,000 Nigerians spread across the 744 local government and 36 states and Abuja, have been empowered with various amount of money under the programme.

She said Bank of Industry has the list of accredited associations of market men and women, artisans and business owners in the state, adding that, whoever wants to join the scheme, must belong to any of the accredited associations.

She further explained that, whoever wants to seek the loan must have a bank account with BVN, adding that the loan is interest-free and payable within six months while the maximum amount that can be drawn under the programme is N100,000.

In his welcome address,  the State Commissioner for Commerce,  Industries and Cooperatives, Mr. Ismaila Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada said that the state government has mobilised and sensitised all stakeholders to ensure success of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) in the state.

He said that the main objective of GEEP, an initiative of federal government is in tandem with the various socio-economic intervention programmes of the state.

Jayeoba-Alagbada said further that the state under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in collaboration with Central Bank of Nigeria through the State Micro Credit Agency disbursed a sum of N3.5b to over 33,000 individuals interest free.

He said further that more 3,000 women have been empowered under the O Meal programme while poultry farmers were also encouraged through Osun Broilers Outgrowers Production Scheme and the government has kept these people oriented initiatives programmes on going and strongly in spite of daunting economic challenges.