When the Ogun State government inaugurated the forum in 2012, many had thought it was a propaganda platform for Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to deceive residents of the state that his administration was working.
But two years after, aside from bringing over $7 billion worth of investment into the coffers of the state, the Ogun State Investors’ Forum has attracted about 46 major industries to the state while over 30 others are in their various stages of completion.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2nd Ogun State Investors’ Forum, tagged, Agriculture & Urban Development, Amosun disclosed that his administration has created an enabling environment for investment to thrive and improved the investment climate and thus made the Gateway state an investors’ destination of choice.
“We are determined, ambitious and forward looking in our developmental programmes and projects. We are focused on preparing our people and our state for the future because we see Ogun State as one state that will play a pivotal role in the future development of Nigeria and Africa by harnessing our natural potentials in Agri-business,” Amosun said.
Vincete Fox, former president, Mexico and the keynote speaker at the summit, agrees with Amosun that Ogun State can compete with other developed countries in the world in terms of food production and processing, if the agricultural revolution going on in the state can be sustained.
Fox is optimistic that the state would soon become a volcano that would erupt and attract developed nations to the country. To do that, he added that the state needs to mobilise the youth and imbibe ‘the can do spirit’ in them.
“To grow the Mexican agricultural sector, we had to convince the youth that they can farm and not be poor. Nigerian government should build self-esteem in the youth through the teachers as they teach them that they can succeed even as a farmer,” he added.
WhatsApp us