By Jamiu Ganiyu
The Osun State Government has postponed the much awaited ‘Economic Summit’ which was meant to reposition its economy and showcase its huge potential to local and foreign investors scheduled to hold next week between June 25 and 27 in Osogbo, the state capital to a later date which is yet to be decided by the government of the State.
A reliable source within the government circle who is part of the strategic planning for the programme informed osun.life earlier today about the sudden postponement.
The source said the notice of postponement is currently being sent out to the invited guests, economic experts in both private and public sectors and investors who the government had already invited for the summit.
Queried on the postponement considering the programme was billed to start in eight days time, the source attributed the postponement to the paucity of fund the state government is experiencing at the moment but assured that the summit would hold at a later date which would be announced by the government.
Besides the above reason, osun.life believes there is more to the postponement as the spontaneous increase in crime rate especially on Ife-Ibadan road could be one of the major factors considered by the government in order not to jeopardize the safety of the special guests, panelists and very important personalities in both public and private sectors that would grace the summit.
You will recall that in his inauguration speech on November 27, 2018, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, while revealing his plans for the economic summit, said, “The multi-stage, multi-stakeholder summit will dissect and recommend strategies which will drive meaningful youth employment, enhance food security, agricultural development, activate mining prospects and boost tourism potentials of this state.”
He added, “We will showcase Osun as a strategic location for industrialization. We are convinced that the peaceful atmosphere, a welcoming people, low crime rate, communal peace and the relative stability of electricity supply, will attract local and foreign investors.”