By: Manoah Kikekon
OSOGBO, NIGERIA – The National President of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Comrade Tope Fajemirokun (SIMTOP), led a delegation of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria on a solidarity visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The strategic visit, aimed at endorsing and supporting Oyebamiji's vision, was held in Osogbo in recognition of the APC candidate's sterling accomplishments during his tenure as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
During the interactive session, Asiwaju Oyebamiji unveiled his comprehensive economic blueprint titled A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development. The ambitious roadmap is specifically designed to transform Osun State into a flourishing investment, industrial, and tourism powerhouse by leveraging private sector-driven growth and resuscitating abandoned strategic assets.
Among the cornerstone projects highlighted in the development agenda are the revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port, the Osun Free Trade Zone, the Ido-Osun Airport, the Osun-Osogbo Grove, and the Oba Hills National Park. Oyebamiji emphasized that unlocking these dormant economic drivers will drastically improve trade facilitation, revolutionize logistics, and position Osun as a competitive export hub.
"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 declared passionately to the gathering of journalists and marine stakeholders.
Beyond infrastructural revival, the APC flag bearer promised robust social intervention schemes aimed at cushioning vulnerable residents against economic hardships. He also gave firm assurances regarding the prompt payment of workers' salaries, improved working conditions, and the restoration of absolute dignity to the state's public service.
To tackle unemployment head-on, Oyebamiji outlined plans for public works initiatives and targeted enterprise support. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are set to benefit immensely through enhanced access to microcredit facilities, specialized grants, and structured business development services designed to foster long-term sustainability.
Furthermore, his administration intends to modernize the educational sector, expand vocational training, upgrade healthcare facilities to achieve universal health coverage, and reposition the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency to drastically improve the ease of doing business.
Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, WABOTAN National President Comrade Tope Fajemirokun lauded Oyebamiji’s impressive track record as a high-performing public administrator. Fajemirokun expressed absolute confidence that the innovative leadership style and administrative excellence Oyebamiji displayed at NIWA will be seamlessly replicated in Osun State.
The WABOTAN leader further noted that Osun possesses immense, largely untapped potential to become a leading player in Nigeria's marine and blue economy. He stressed that through strategic public-private partnerships, vital tourism assets such as the Osun-Osogbo Grove and the Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls can be aggressively harnessed to generate massive employment and drive sustainable economic growth across the region.