The British High Commission in Nigeria has commended the Ogun State Government on its aggressive industrial revolution drive, which has turned the state into preferred choice for local and foreign investors over the past few years.
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, gave the commendation on Friday when he led a team from the British High Commission, Lagos, to the Office of the State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
Baxter noted that the huge industrial presence across the Gateway State was a testament to the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment towards ensuring the state remains the industrial capital of Nigeria, expressing the Commission’s willingness to identify with it for improved economic and trade relations.
While describing Ogun as pivotal to Nigeria’s industrial base given the various economic opportunities that abound in the state, the British envoy said his government was willing to collaborate with the state government, especially on industrialization and by extension, agriculture, to strengthen the agricultural value chain for food security.
Baxter said: “Since the current economic realities across the globe call for smooth and strategic measures, partnering with the government through programmes that enhance agriculture, towards making it become the mainstay of the economy for the good of the people, especially the vulnerable, is a right step in the right direction.”
In her remarks, the deputy governor told the British High Commission team of the government’s commitment to sustaining the conducive environment for existing businesses to thrive, while new ones were facilitated into the state, stressing that creating a conducive environment was the pull factor Governor Dapo Abiodun identified at the inception of his administration.
Salako-Oyedele, who maintained that the state was endowed with an expanse of arable land mass which was being judiciously utilized for economic gain, pointed out that 20,000 hectares of land had been set aside for rice and maize production, towards achieving food security.
She noted that the continuous engagement of stakeholders and players of industry like the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), on the ease of doing business without degrading the environment, through Public Private Partnership, adding that the attendant problems associated with industrialization such as migration, infrastructure deficit, and insecurity were being looked into.
Other top government functionaries at the meeting were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Toyin Taiwo; Commissioners for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela; Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo; Agriculture, Mr. Bolu Owootomo and the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Dapo Oduwole.
Photo Caption
Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter, when he led a delegation of the High Commission on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor’s Office in Abeokuta on Friday.
