Osinbajo Calls for Lagos-Ogun Regional Economic Integration

Femi Ogbonnikan In Abeokuta
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has called on Lagos and Ogun States government to collaborate in a bid to achieve regional economic integration.

Speaking at the fourth edition of a two-day Ogun State Investors’ Forum with the theme: ‘Consolidating the gains, accelerating growth’ held yesterday in Abeokuta, Osinbajo averred that on account of proximity, Lagos and Ogun States, and by extension, Republic of Benin ought to collaborate with each other for the benefit of economic integration.

“There is a proximity between and among Lagos and Ogun States, and Republic of Benin. Apart from the industrial hub of the country Ogun State ought to be a business preference of choice for anybody wishing to do business in Nigeria.

Recently, I attended a collaborative economic meeting between Lagos and Kano States. As a result, I think there is a need for a deliberate conjunction between Lagos and Ogun States for future benefits. The available endowed potentials between the two states ought to be exploited for sub-regional meetings and cooperation between and among Lagos, Ogun and Republic of Benin,” said the VP.

Besides, the vice president noted that the federal government has so far supported states government with a total sum of N1.91 trillion to cover three areas-anchor-borrowers, social investment and budget support-for a rapid economic development and growth.
He, however, applauded the giant leap the Ogun State government has recorded in the last 18 months, especially in agriculture sector.

“I am here to encourage you here in Ogun State. There is no room to relent. I am here to inspire your ambition. I want your fifth index place of doing business to become first.

So, in the last 18 months, Ogun State has made a giant leap in agriculture. You have MITROS rice, land acquisition, business infrastructure, road building and upgrade for the industrialisation of the state,” said Osibajo.
But Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, attributed the successes recorded so far in the economy of the state to the participation of the federal government and other stakeholders in the previous editions of the investors’ forum .

Amosun who said the state government has benefited from the previous editions of investors’ forum, said the investors were more encouraged as a result of the involvement of the government at the centre.
The governor who spoke on choice of the theme: ‘Consolidating the gains, accelerating growth,” explained that the motive was to change the face of the state from public-sector driven economy to an industrial hub.
Amosun said: “By the time we held the third edition of our investors’ forum in 2016, the results of our efforts from the first and second editions were apparent. Our improved business environment remains a solid foundation for our new status as the industrial capital of Nigeria.

“While much has been said and heard of the agriculture, let me add that Ogun State is the first state in Nigeria to adopt an agro-politan development strategy. This is a development paradigm that ensures that millions of our citizens engaged in the agriculture value chain and are able to prosper wherever they are located.”

The keynote speaker at the event, a former President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, who spoke on a theme: ‘Competitiveness and growth: A view from Mexico’, noted that for any country to experience economic growth and development, it must invest in people and infrastructure.

He, however, admonished Nigerian leaders to go back to the drawing board to stimulate manufacturing sub-sector and exporting, instead of relying much on importation of everything.
Calderon also urged government to increase public funding, and expand its scope of social investment programmes in order to improve the lots of the poor and vulnerable people in the society