Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has advised Nigerians to have a second thought on Japa Syndrome and explore opportunities abounding in Nigeria.
He said this while commissioning the Bond Mall, the flagship of Bond Group of Companies, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Saturday.
He counseled the people to reconsider their stance on Japa by exploring the limitless opportunities, especially in the areas of investments.
The governor said, while many are relocating, the trend is that many are selling their properties to Japa, while several Nigerians in the Diaspora are sending money home to buy properties and also invest.
He said his government would encourage anyone with the desire to stay and explore by supporting them and creating opportunities for them.
The governor said: “On Japa, yes, the grass may appear greener on the other side, but there are enough opportunities in our country.
“Though we are going through a lot of challenges, we are not the only country going through something like this.
“As a government, we will continue to encourage you. We will continue to point you in a direction and create opportunities for you.”
As a pointer to his desire to further encourage and attract investors into Oyo State, Governor Makinde assured that reconstruction of internal roads in the state capital would begin in a matter of weeks
He said the decision was part of the commitment of his administration to fix inner roads after successfully linking all the zones of the state with road infrastructure.
He listed the road reconstruction projects to be kick-started within the next few weeks to Challenge-Ring Road-Mile 110 Junction and Beere-Yemetu-Bodija-University of Ibadan Road
He declared that the two major highways would be reconstructed completely because of their importance to the investment drive of his administration.
Makinde equally said his government would continue to support and encourage investors with the right infrastructure and environment for their businesses to thrive.
“People have been complaining about the internal roads in Ibadan and I went round to check for myself. I can announce today that in three weeks, we will award the contracts and they will be mobilised to sites.
“For the Ring Road, from Challenge to the point linking Abeokuta Expressway, we are reconstructing it completely, because this is a major highway in Oyo State.
“From Beere, we are reconstructing from that point to U.I. All of that will be awarded in a matter of weeks,” the governor said.
The governor appreciated the investor and Chief Executive Officer, Bond Group of Companies, Pharmacist Remi Omotoso, for investing and creating employment opportunities in the state.
He assured Omotoso of his administration’s support in terms of tax holiday, provision of maximum security, and donation of a security patrol vehicle to the mall.
Governor Makinde charged other investors to come into the state, stating that his government would support them with everything needed to succeed.
He said: “Let me congratulate the Bond Group of Companies, because I saw the Mall you built in Bodija and he also told me that the third one on Akala Way is almost done.
“I can only encourage you and let you know that anything the government needs to provide to ensure that this business is successful will be done.
“For also creating employment opportunities for about 280 people, I will say that whatever you need from the government, we will give you.
“If you open this place 24 hours, as you said, I will instruct Amotekun to move their patrol vehicle here to operate for 24 hours too.
“I will personally ensure that one of the 100 vehicles we want to give to security agencies is given to this Mall.
“So, I want to congratulate my brother, Remi Omotosho and his wife. I also want to congratulate the father too.”
Earlier in his remarks, the CEO Bond Group of Companies, Remi Omotoso, commended the leadership and people-oriented approach of Governor Makinde to governnace.
He lauded the governor for providing an enabling environment for economic growth and for businesses to thrive.
He said the commitment of the Makinde administration to economic development and prioritisation of tourism development m, as contained in his roadmap for sustainable development 2023-2027, are highly commendable.
Omotoso said Bond Mall would go a long way in partnering with the state government in its bid to develop the economy of the state, not only through tourism but also in the area of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and job creation.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Cooperative, Chief Ademola Ojo, thanked Governor Makinde for creating a conducive atmosphere for investment to thrive.
He said Bond Mall, among others, was a testimony to the efforts of the governor at ensuring accelerated development of the state.
According to the commissioner, the huge investment in security and construction of road networks were evidence of the sincere desire of the governor to facilitate the economic development of the state.
Also speaking, the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oparinde, said the state was lucky to have a governor in the mould of Makinde.
He thanked the Omotoso family for investing their money into the economic development of the state over the years.
The traditional ruler urged others to emulate the Omotosos by investing their money, rather than keeping it in bank vaults where he said it was of no value to them.
He assured potentials investors of the safety of their investments “because have a governor whose interest is to secure the state in order to make the state good and safe for investment and prosperity.”
Bond Group encompasses Bond Chemical Industries; Sunrise Supermarket, Bakery and Pharmacy; De’ Greatdream Nig Ltd; Sunrise Arcade; Kilimanjaro; Pizza Jungle; Uptown Unisex Hair Salon and Bubble Mix Tea Bar.
