Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has pledged to revive dormant economic assets, including the Dagbolu Dry Port, Ido-Osun Airport, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Oba Hills National Park and the Osun Free Trade Zone, as part of a broad strategy to reposition the state as a preferred destination for investment, industry and tourism.
Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), made the commitment on Saturday while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria during a courtesy visit to his campaign office in Osogbo. The visit was facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s inland waterways sector during his tenure at NIWA.
Addressing the journalists, the APC governorship candidate unveiled his development blueprint, the Osun Prosperity Agenda, themed “A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” describing it as a practical roadmap for accelerating economic growth, attracting investment and improving the quality of life of residents.
According to him, revitalising 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 new opportunities in trade, logistics, tourism and manufacturing while creating thousands of sustainable jobs.
“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.
He explained that the revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone would enhance trade facilitation, strengthen logistics infrastructure and position Osun as a competitive industrial and export hub within Nigeria.
Beyond infrastructure renewal, Oyebamiji promised targeted social intervention programmes aimed at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable citizens. He also assured workers of prompt salary payments, improved welfare packages and better working conditions, stressing that public servants would be treated with dignity under his administration.
The former NIWA boss further pledged to tackle unemployment through public works programmes, enterprise development initiatives and strategic investments designed to create sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for youths.
To boost investment inflows, he said his administration would strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency, establish modern industrial parks, improve the ease of doing business and implement investor-friendly policies capable of positioning Osun among Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations.
He also promised greater support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded access to microcredit facilities, grants and business development services, alongside entrepreneurship and empowerment programmes targeted at youths and women.
On education and healthcare, Oyebamiji said his administration would modernise educational infrastructure, recruit and retrain teachers, strengthen technical and vocational education, expand apprenticeship schemes and upgrade healthcare facilities across the state. He added that strategic partnerships would be leveraged to advance universal health coverage and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Reaffirming his commitment to the people of Osun, Oyebamiji said the Prosperity Agenda represents a social contract built on prudent leadership, strategic investments and private sector-led growth.
“Our administration will pursue inclusive policies that promote economic prosperity, expand opportunities for our people and ensure lasting development across every part of Osun State,” he said.
Speaking during the visit, President of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as a result-oriented administrator whose achievements as Managing Director of NIWA demonstrated his capacity for effective governance.
Fajemirokun expressed confidence that the APC governorship candidate would replicate his performance in Osun State, particularly by harnessing the state’s tourism and blue economy potential.
According to him, attractions such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls and other natural assets could become major drivers of tourism, employment and economic growth under an administration committed to developing the marine and blue economy.
