By Joshua Yousouph
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has pledged to revive the Dagbolu Dry Port, Osun Free Trade Zone and other strategic economic assets as part of a comprehensive plan to reposition the state as a leading investment, industrial and tourism destination.
Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), made the pledge on Saturday while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria during a courtesy visit to Osogbo.
The visit was facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) in recognition of Oyebamiji’s contributions to the development of Nigeria’s inland waterways sector during his tenure at NIWA.
Speaking during the meeting, Oyebamiji unveiled his development blueprint, tagged “Osun Prosperity Agenda: A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” describing it as a practical roadmap for economic transformation, inclusive governance and sustainable development.
He said the revival of strategic assets such as the Dagbolu Dry Port, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Oba Hills National Park, Ido-Osun Airport and the Osun Free Trade Zone would unlock the state’s economic potential by stimulating commerce, strengthening tourism, attracting domestic and foreign investments, supporting entrepreneurship and creating sustainable employment.
According to him, the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone would improve trade facilitation, enhance logistics operations and position Osun as a competitive industrial and export hub.
“We will resuscitate strategic economic assets that have the capacity to transform Osun’s economy, stimulate private sector investment and create wealth for our people,” Oyebamiji said.
The APC candidate also promised targeted social intervention programmes aimed at reducing poverty, while assuring civil servants of prompt salary payments, improved working conditions and the restoration of dignity in the public service.
He pledged to create employment through public works programmes, enterprise support initiatives and strategic investments designed to generate sustainable jobs, particularly for young people.
Oyebamiji further said his administration would strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency to attract more investors, establish industrial parks with modern infrastructure, improve the ease of doing business and position Osun among Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.
He assured micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of improved access to microcredit, grants and business development services, while promising expanded entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes for youths and women.
On education and healthcare, the APC governorship candidate said his administration would modernise educational infrastructure, recruit and train teachers, strengthen technical and vocational education, expand apprenticeship programmes and upgrade healthcare facilities across the state.
He added that partnerships would be leveraged to advance universal health coverage and improve access to quality healthcare for residents.
Reaffirming his commitment to the state, Oyebamiji said the Prosperity Agenda represents a pact with the people of Osun to deliver economic growth, social inclusion and lasting development through prudent leadership, strategic investments and private sector-driven development.
Also speaking, President of WABOTAN, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as a high-performing administrator, expressing confidence that his achievements at NIWA would be replicated if elected governor.
Fajemirokun added that under Oyebamiji’s leadership, Osun could emerge as a major player in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through the development of maritime tourism around attractions such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls.
