The
Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, took a step further on Tuesday in his
administration’s expansion of economic opportunities for the state as he signed
a Memorandum of Understanding with the Growth and Employment in States 4th
scheme (GEMS4).
Aregbesola
said at the signing of the MOU that his administration has been able to endure
the harsh economic challenges in the country because of the government's huge
investments in human development.
GEMS4
is a Department For International Department-funded programme that will link
and expand
markets
for unique wholesale and retail products from Osun into larger local and
international markets.
Under
this scheme, local producers of black soap, local delicacies, mat makers, and
other petty producers are to be assisted to gain access to bigger markets for
bigger economic opportunities.
The
governor said investment in the people helps the commerce and economy of states
as well as help in the process of wealth creation.
He
said the signing of the MOU is to promote collaboration and cooperation with
GEMS4 so as to provide assess to markets for the production of local products.
He
said no government could create wealth where there is hunger, poverty and
wants, saying his government is committed to raising the standard of living of
the people through wealth creation.
According
to him, a lot of people had asked how the state has been coping with the
economic downturn, while others even castigated the state for the abnormal
revenue that had previously accrued to the state from the federation account.
He
said: "A lot of people have been asking how we are surviving in spite of
the economic challenges. Some people even castigated us for the abnormal
revenue we got from the federation.
"The
answer to this question is that we have made human development centre of our
programmes and policies long before taking over the mantle of leadership.
"The
investment of our people is paying off handsomely. This is what we want to
consolidate with the MOU with GEMS 4.
"We
also believe there are still opportunities untapped and unexplored. The MOU
will help us explore the opportunities previously unexplored for wealth
creation, progress and development."
The
governor emphasised that wealth creation is the fulcrum of the MOU and the
benefits are numerous and immeasurable particularly for the small scale
industries.
He
stressed that what is important is the readiness of the people to explore the
opportunities the MOU offers.
In
his remarks, the GEMS4 Project Director in Nigeria, Mr. David Joiner at the MOU
signing ceremony at Executive Chambers, office of the Governor in Osogbo stated
the project will raise the production and earning of the poor in Osun,
He
noted that some of the industries that will benefit from this unique
partnership between the state and GEMS4 include the soap making industry,
agro-processing industries among others.
The
DFID boss added that the project is aimed at creating and sustaining 10,000
full time equivalent jobs and increased incomes for 500,000 people in the
state.
Joiner
disclosed that the unique products identified so-far for re-packaging, branding
and marketing for larger markets includes local black soaps, the popular ‘dodo
Ikire’, domestic goats and sheep among every other trades.
"With
signing of this MOU, we will hit the ground running, SMEs will benefit from the
project and we believe that employment will be generated, up to 5,000
traditional soap makers in different parts of the state.
"We
are also bringing new technology in goat rearing so that they can have better
income and increase, we also look forward to making impact to the people.
"We
seek to improve income and employment opportunities within Nigeria’s wholesale
and retail sector, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable".
Joiner told the gathering.
Categories:
Society
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