Osun On The Verge Of Becoming A Strong, Sustainable Economy In Nigeria-Commissioner

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Development, Dr Olalekan Yinusa on Thursday said the 10-year State Development Plan (2018-2028) is designed to help Osun state’s long-term vision of becoming a strong and sustainable economy in Nigeria.

Osun state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Development, Dr Olalekan Yinusa

Yunusa made this known in his opening remark at a one-day validation meeting of the State Development Plan (2018-2028) and 2019 Budget Consultation Forum held in Osogbo, the capital of the state.

The commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget Development, Mr Segun Olorunsogo said the plan if well implemented would provide the overall policy framework for sector planning and service delivery.

Yinusa further explained that the concept note outlines the aims of the state development plan and the way in which it is to be produced, saying that it was also to be state’s poverty reduction strategy.

He added that the plan is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for developing Osun state for the next ten years and may be main document guiding development plans government and the statewide sector levels.

The Commissioner who hinted plan as it’s being planned would help bring about a road map to sustainable development and growth, adding that it would be an important instrument for the efficient management of resources to increase access to and deliver better services to a greater proportion of the population

According to him, the Budget development plan would help in the reformation of the public financing management and also bring about citizens engagement towards wealth creation, Human Capital Development and infrastructural growths.

He noted that creating a future for Osun was a collective responsibility and the need to bring the society together in order to share the content of the documents would help in achieving its targets.

In his goodwill message , Mr Joshua Olagbaju, Managing Director, BDO Management Consulting Limited, said, the State Development Plan was developed through an all-inclusive participation where all critical stakeholders had made invaluable impetus.

Olagbaju, who was represented by Mr Bashorun Olanrewaju , noted that the sustainable development plan cannot be over emphasized as it has been positioned serve as catalyst for development that would make the state a cynosure of all eyes.

He said ,” The BDO management limited are proud to be associated with this landmark achievement and thanked the state for the opportunity to appropriately utilized their consulting experience to facilitate the achievement of the desired results.

Echoing a similar view , the Project Coordinator, SLOGOR , Mr Yemi Ijidele
said the state development plan would show where the state would be in the next 10 years and to know the direction it ought to follow for rapid development.

Ijidele further explained that SDP would aid the government in its bid to transform the state to the greater hieght, adding that any government that is coming up will not deviate from what is already planned in the documents as the documents would be made open and transparent.

He noted that the plan would not have been easy without the enabling environment and pragmatic support provided by the Commissioner , Dr Olalekan Yinusa, and other key members of the ministry.

Mrs Yetunde Esan, Director for Planning in the ministry, in her paper presentation, called for promotion of sustainable development through pragmatic, transparent, accountable and inclusive governance.

Esan also called for the mobilization of both human and material resources towards making the state a socio- economic and cultural hub.

She harped on the need to diversify and enhance revenue base through provision of enabling business environment to attract and retain investors and expand existing businesses.

The workshop had in attendance Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) , Political Leaders, Religious leaders and media practitioners among relevant stakeholders.