Osun Guber: Dagbolu Dry Port, airport, free trade zone top Oyebamiji’s growth blueprint

…As INEC confirms voter rolls increases to 2.34m

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in  the Osun State August 15, 2016 governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has identified the revival of the Dagbolu Inland Dry Port, the Osun Free Trade Zone and other strategic economic assets as the cornerstone of his administration’s blueprint to reposition the state as a leading investment, logistics and industrial hub.

Oyebamiji said restoring the abandoned projects would unlock fresh opportunities for trade, manufacturing, tourism, entrepreneurship and employment, while transforming Osun into one of Nigeria’s most competitive destinations for local and foreign investment.

The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) made the pledge in Osogbo while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria during a courtesy visit facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).

Presenting his development agenda, christened “A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” Oyebamiji described the programme as a practical roadmap designed to stimulate sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure development, private sector investment and inclusive governance.

He said the revival of the Dagbolu Inland Dry Port would significantly improve cargo logistics, facilitate trade and strengthen Osun’s position within Nigeria’s supply chain network, while the proposed revitalisation of the Osun Free Trade Zone would attract industries, expand exports and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

According to him, other dormant assets earmarked for revival include the Ido-Osun Airport, the UNESCO-recognised Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and the Oba Hills National Park, all of which he said possess enormous economic value capable of driving tourism, commerce and wealth creation.

“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.

Beyond infrastructure, the APC candidate pledged to strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency to improve investor confidence, simplify business processes and develop modern industrial parks that would encourage manufacturing and enterprise development.

He also promised to expand support for micro, small and medium enterprises through easier access to credit facilities, grants and business development services, while rolling out targeted empowerment programmes for youths and women.

On employment and social welfare, Oyebamiji assured workers of prompt salary payments, improved welfare packages and better working conditions, adding that his administration would launch public works initiatives and enterprise-driven programmes aimed at creating sustainable jobs across the state.

He further pledged substantial investments in education and healthcare by upgrading schools and hospitals, recruiting and training teachers, expanding technical and vocational education and strengthening apprenticeship schemes to equip young people with employable skills.

The APC flag bearer maintained that his Prosperity Agenda represents a commitment to deliver inclusive governance, prudent management of public resources and sustained economic development capable of improving the quality of life of Osun residents.

Speaking during the visit, President of WABOTAN, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as an accomplished administrator whose tenure at NIWA demonstrated his capacity to drive infrastructure development and institutional reforms.

Fajemirokun expressed confidence that, if elected, Oyebamiji would leverage Osun’s abundant tourism and waterways assets including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls to position the state as an emerging player in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy while attracting greater investment and boosting internally generated revenue.

Speaking at the Osun State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum in Osogbo, recently, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission had completed its logistical, technological and operational arrangements and was fully prepared to deliver an election that reflects the will of the people.

He announced extension of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise that ended on Friday, July 31, 2026, after revealing that 322,822 newly registered voters, representing 62 per cent, had collected their PVCs. He also announced that a mock accreditation exercise would hold on Saturday, August 1, across 12 selected Local Government Areas to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) before election day.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, said the stakeholders’ meeting marked the final engagement before the election and highlighted the Commission’s level of preparedness.

She disclosed that voter registration in the state had increased from 1,954,800 to 2,339,233, while all 3,763 BVAS devices required for the election had been configured and fully charged, with 1,328 backup machines set aside for contingencies. As INEC discloses that voter registration increases from 1, 954, 800 to 2,339,233

Babalola added that non-sensitive materials had been distributed to the Local Government Areas, sensitive materials were secured at the Central Bank of Nigeria in Osogbo, and training of ad-hoc staff would commence from July 31 to August 9.