ICYMI: News Reports from Osun State this Week

FLASH 1:  Industrial Training Fund Announces Osun As South-West Zonal Headquarters  

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has announced Osun State as its South-West Zonal Headquarters. The development was disclosed to the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Technical and Vocational Education, Arch.Dapo Ademola-Adesina by the ITF management on Monday 7th October, 2024.

Arch. Dapo had on the 30th of May 2024, during a courtesy visit to the agency, proposed a collaboration with the Osun State Board for Technical and Vocational Education in the areas of Vocational and Skill Training, Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA) as well as Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the proposal became successful as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the industrial Training Fund, Dr. Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, sent his team to inspect various vocational sites in Osun state on the 13th of August, 2024.

“This Strategic Partnership is in accordance with the vision of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to reduce unemployment rate and promote the acquisition and utilisation of relevant skills for economic development in the state,” the statement concluded.

READ ALSO: Tinubu’s wife donates N1bn to OAU

FLASH 2: Adeleke Reaffirms Commitment to Green Economy and Climate Initiatives

The executive governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke has opened on its far reaching, ongoing agenda to introduce and implement multi sectoral green economy and climate initiatives as tolls of state development. The State’s consultant on climate change and renewable energy, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku who represented Governor Ademola Adeleke made the disclosure at a twin events in Lagos on Thursday, 10th October, 2024, namely the 11th German-Nigerian Business Forum and the West African Clean Energy & Environment Trade Fair and Conference (WACEE) under the theme “Sustainability Showcase: Stimulating Green Economy Investments.”

Advancing Osun as a prime destination for green economy investments, the Governor’s representative presented the state’s strategic vision for sustainable growth and emphasized the state’s readiness to embrace clean energy initiatives and drive environmentally responsible development. While listing the enormous potential that Osun holds in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, and eco-friendly infrastructure, the consultant expressed the state’s interests in investment opportunities in renewable energy, with a focus on cutting-edge solutions like energy efficiency, mini grids, and green hydrogen which are crucial components of Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

She further offered valuable insights into how the public and private sectors can collaborate to harness these technologies for broader economic growth even as she highlighted how Osun State is positioning itself as a leader in clean energy by actively seeking partnerships and investments that focus on renewable energy integration, particularly in off-grid solutions and mini grids. At the circular economy roundtable, Prof. Obuaku who identified challenges facing circular economy challenges in Nigeria cited Osun State’s ongoing efforts, where attention is focused on creation of a conducive environment for circular economy businesses.

“In Osun, we’ve developed policies that provide financial incentives, such as tax breaks and grants, to encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices. We’ve also been working on establishing public-private partnerships that leverage private sector innovation and government resources to scale circular economy initiatives.

“One such example is our commitment to improving waste-to-energy projects, which convert agricultural and household waste into sustainable energy sources, reducing environmental degradation while creating economic value”, the consultant told the audience.

“Osun State remains committed to sustainability, and the steps we are taking serve as a model that other states can replicate. By focusing on renewable energy investments, waste management innovations, and strong public-private partnerships, Osun is leading the charge in creating a green economy that benefits both the environment and the local population.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the policies and practices we implement today will lead to long-term economic growth and environmental preservation, both in Osun and across Nigeria”, the representative of the Governor posited.

Other highlights of the event include the meeting with representatives of the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce with a membership offer that would open doors for Osun-based businesses to access a network of German and international companies, facilitating potential investments and partnerships in key sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, and sustainable agriculture.

RELATED: Adeleke appoints Odo-Otin-born Afọlábí as new Uniosun Teaching Hospital CMD [See Profile]

FLASH 3: Osun Govt Warns Against Encroachment On Stadium Lands

The Osun state government has warned against increasing encroachment on lands allocated for the construction of six stadia across the three senatorial districts. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024, the state government frowned at the negative development, warning those engaging in such unlawful activities to stop forthwith.

“His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who supervises the Ministry of Sports has received several reports of such encroachment and even illegal sale of such lands to developers.

“The Deputy Governor has subsequently set up an enforcement team to clean up the situation. Members of the public are advised to stay away from the land”, the Commissioner noted in the statement.

“The State Government has noted with concern the activities of land marauders (trespassers) on the land allocated for the construction of six stadia in Osogbo, Ife, Ilesa, Ikirun Ede and Iwo and therefore warn them to desist from these acts.

“The general public should note that the Government is still committed to the construction of these stadia hence trespassers are advised to vacate the land without further delay as intruders will be dealt with according to the full extent of the law”, the statement concluded.

FLASH 4: FG Appoints Osun To Coordinate SouthWest States’ Food Sufficiency Programme 

The Federal Government has appointed Osun State as the coordinating point for the implementation of the Food System Transformation Pathways in the South West geopolitical zone, an initiative targeted at boosting nutritious and sufficient food production in Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024.

The Food System Transformation Pathways was initiated by the United Nations to facilitate well-functioning food systems that will provide higher incomes for smallholder farmers and small/medium scale food enterprises, empower women, increase youths’ employment, and increase the amount of money circulating in the economy. The goals of the Food System Transformation Pathways by 2030 includes reducing poverty, reducing unemployment, especially among youths, reducing hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, reducing food imports and promote sustainable food trade, increasing women’s empowerment in agriculture index score and increasing environmental performance index score.

In the letter addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and copied to his counterparts in Oyo and Ekiti states, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, H.E Atiku Bagudu, CON, said the implementation for the Food System Transformation Pathways in Oyo and Ekiti states will be coordinated from Osun state. The Minister noted that the decision is in line with the effort of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration step towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objectives in the country.

“Your Excellency may wish to be informed that the coordination of the Three States in the South West Zone is part of efforts to complement the steps towards achieving nutritious and food security as well as SDGs in Nigeria. This is also part of the step being taken to deepen the achievement of Nigeria as presented at the Stock Taking Moment (STM) in Rome that was led by H.E Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON from 24-26 July, 2023,” the letter conveying the appointment of Osun state reads in part.

“The coordination arrangement is to consolidate on the agreed recommendations at the Retreat of the State Commissioners of Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health held in Abuja from 7- 8 March, 2024 that reiterated the need for quarterly review of implementation on geopolitical zonal basis.

“The Honourable Commissioners for Economic Planning, Agriculture and Health in all the 36 States plus the FCT will therefore be expected to work together for effective delivery of the implementation strategy and multisectoral plan of action for food and Nutrition.”