Ogun Gov. Dapo Abiodun has highlighted the positive impact the ongoing National Sports Festival has had on the state’s economy.
The governor also urged financial institutions within the state to partner with his administration to bolster Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), emphasizing their crucial role as the foundation of manufacturing and industrial activities.
Abiodun made these remarks while receiving management staff from Access Bank, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun explained that the decision to host the National Sports Festival was driven by a desire to build upon the state’s achievements in infrastructure development, which has made it a prime destination for investors.
He also sought to leverage the festival as an additional platform to showcase Ogun State as Nigeria’s leading hub for tourism and hospitality.
Reiterating that the festival has demonstrably benefited all sectors of the state’s economy, the governor said: “We have become the toast of investors and manufacturers across all sectors. In addition to all that, we decided to bid for the National Sports Festival as we have all the required infrastructure.
“We want to be known for other platforms as well. We don’t want to be identified as Nigeria’s industrial capital alone; we want to be described as the tourism and hospitality capital of Nigeria. We want to prove that when we decide on something, we do it well.
“On the 18th of this month, we had the opening ceremony, which I believe has gone down in history as the best opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival. Beyond the ceremony, it has been recognized as the best organized, as all the athletes are being camped at our Olympic-style game village.
“Transportation, feeding, and the entire organization of the games are excellent. It has been a platform to showcase our state to the world, and I am very excited about the opportunities it has presented.”
Abiodun added: “There is a need to find a way to quantify the impact of these games on the economy of Ogun State because we have people selling water, recharge cards, clothing, sportswear, and of course, Adire.
“On Saturday, I went around different venues, and everywhere was bustling with commercial activities; it was unbelievable. The market ran out of Adire because they couldn’t keep up, as we have over 9,500 athletes and officials, totaling about 12,000.”
The governor, who said he understands the importance of small-scale enterprises in the economy of a nation, pointed out that they provide employment opportunities to a large population and ensure that the economy is on track.
He said: “We are also particularly focused on strengthening our Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) because they are the backbone of manufacturing and industrial activities.
“We have revived the Adire industry. In the past, the Chinese came here, copied our Adire, went back home, and brought their own, which they sold at a cheaper price. We need to support the Adire Value Chain. The Value Chain starts with the person selling the fabrics to the person selling the dye to the person tying and dyeing, and of course, to the tailors.
“So you can imagine how much we have been able to strengthen that entire value chain. We would like to see how you can partner with us in this regard.”
He appreciated the bank for its role in stabilizing his administration at inception and lauded it for its growth from a one-branch financial house to the largest commercial bank in Nigeria with 24 markets.
“Be assured that we will continue to be a part of that success story and deepen our partnership by working closely with you to unlock the potentials of our state, as there is still a lot to do,” the governor added.
Earlier, Access Bank’s CEO, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, said the relationship between the bank and the state has gone beyond customer-client as it has blossomed under the present administration.
He commended the governor for enhancing infrastructure and providing a conducive business environment for investors, adding that the agenda he has for the state is paying off, as economic activities are spreading across the state, thereby positively affecting people’s lives.
While appreciating the government and people of the state for standing by the bank during the demise of its former Chief Executive, Herbert Wigwe, Ogbonna said the bank would focus on and encourage the government to find solutions to any daunting problems and ensure that the vision of the present administration is achieved.
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