By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has further intensified his investment drive for Osun state in London with landmark engagements with the British Museum for cultural industry partnership and linkage between Osun and UK businesses at an investment conference of Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
At the high profile gathering attended by the Nigerian Trade and Investment Minister, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and UK Prime Minister Trade Envoy, Hon Florence Eshalomi, Governor Adeleke again reiterated the need for deepening Commonwealth business relationship especially at the binational level, citing uncertainty and instability within the global economy.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Thursday disclosed that the Governor informed the gathering of business executives from Nigeria and the United Kingdom that subnational investment in states like Osun holds the key to collective prosperity, describing such investment as low hanging fruits between Nigeria and UK private Sectors.
While commending the chair and members of UK Chambers of Commerce and Industry; the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Hon Florence Eshalomi; and Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Governor Adeleke said “his love for closer partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is evident here in London and back at home.
“The global economic situation compels both nations to deepen partnership. We must leverage on our historical ties to unlock a mutually beneficial investment inflow. The Chamber of Commerce provides a meeting point for the organised private sector from both countries to strike deals and partnership”, he reiterated.
Marketing the state to the top ranking audience, the Governor said Osun has huge potentials for investment in mining, agriculture, digital economy, free trade zone, creative economy, and others, adding “we have a well trained labor force and a commendable investment environment.
“Above all, we have a strict system for the protection of investment and investors. We enhance business climate by reducing the state infrastructure deficit by over 50 percent. By the 2025 intervention plans, the deficit reduction is targeted to be over 70 percent.
“Our government will deepen partnership with the joint UK-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce to boost investment and business partnership. We will also align members of the Osun state Chamber of Commerce and industry to enter into a closer relationship with the UK-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, the Governor promises.
At another meeting with the leadership of the British Museum, Governor Adeleke and his team advocated a partnership to strengthen Osun cultural industry in the presence of the museum management team led by Mr. Hugo Chapman, Acting Keeper of the Department of Africa, Oceania And the Americas; Dr. Sam Nixon, Head of the Africa Section and Ms. Julie Hudson, Curator Africa section.
He cited the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the historic city of Ile-Ife, the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people; and time-honored festivals such as the Timi Ede Festival, the Olojo Festival and the globally celebrated Osun-Osogbo Festival as thriving cultural assets of the state
“But beyond heritage, Osun is also a land of opportunity. We welcome investors to explore thriving sectors in cultural tourism, event management, creative arts, and artisan enterprise — from Adire Hub to develop the value chain of our Adire fabric to masterful wood carvings and sculpture. Our government is committed to supporting this growth through strategic public-private partnerships, infrastructure expansion, and investment-friendly policies”, the governor was quoted as saying.
Responding, the head of Museum team, Mr. Hugo Chapman identified several areas of partnership including joint exhibition of cultural assets among others.
While the investment conference led to government-to-business linkage, cultural tourism created a new platform for partnership and collaboration between the British Museum and the Osun state government.
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