In yet another bold step to achieve the goals and aspiration of his administration on economic prosperity and increase in internally generated revenue (IGR), the Executive Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government, Dr. Lanre Oyegbola – Sodipo, has inaugurated a six- man committee on trade, investment and foreign mission to drive the strategic initiatives for economic and internally generated revenue growth for the local government.
He charged the committee members drawn from vast experiences in finance, management, and stakeholders engagement, to leverage their diverse expertise to set bounds that will bring notable innovative and rapid transformation of the local government into a model example for others.
The inauguration event, which took place at the Council Secetariat, Akomoje on Wednesday, 5th March, 2025, was witnessed by prominent personalities, including the Vice Chairman, ANLG, Hon. Taiyelolu Egbeyemi; Secretary to the Local Government, Engr. Omowunmi Mutiat Agbaje; Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Kikelomo Munirat Ajayi, and Chairperson of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the local government, Alhaja Faidat Sarumi-Akintunde, among others.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Oyegbola-Sodipo disclosed that currently there were 67 revenue points through which the local government generate income, and noted that the committee’s mandate was to drive development to ANLG by facilitating partnerships with people, businesses and institutions in the Diaspora that can support ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for people in the local government.
The ANLG chairman added that the local government was blessed with vast arable land for agriculture, and presence of tourism and cultural assets, charging the committee members to market the potential and huge opportunities in the local government to prospective partners and investors.
“For instance, our iconic Olumo Rock should be able to generate fantastic level of revenue for us by reason of increasing traffic in visitors and tourists trooping in, mostly from the Diaspora. As more foreigners look for places of interest for adventure, Olumo Rock is an important historical heritage site to be”, he stated.
Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo expressed confidence that, with the unwavering commitment of the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to the sustainable development of local government system, the setting up of the committee would yield significant positive outcomes.
Responding after the inauguration, Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Muyiwa Fajinmi, thanked Dr. Oyegbola-Sodipo for the confidence reposed in his team, pledging that the committee would discharge its mandate with every sense of responsibility and deliver the desired results.
“We have a clear understanding of the task, which is to increase the value of revenue sector and bolster development in the local government by seeking opportunities through partnerships with the private sector. We thank God on behalf of the Chairman for the kind of vision he has for the ANLG and pray that God will grant him long life to accomplish his goals,” he stated.
Speaking further, the Committee Secretary, Agba Akin Moruff Adenekan, who represented the chairman, assured Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo and the leadership of ANLG that the committee would discharge its assignment creditably and work in line with the scope of given to the committee.
He added that members would be diligent in discharging their assigned tasks for the good and benefits of the people of the local government, noting that “with all humility, we accept this responsibility, deeply honoured and excited at the task ahead in the area of trade, investment and foreign mission.”
Adenekan further pledged: “I assure you all, that our team will not be a mere collection of individuals; it will be a committee bound by a shared purpose and a common goal for greater success of the local government area and Ogun State in general. For us, we will think locally and act within the global space”.
He called for the support of all and sundry, stressing that collaboration and open communication were pivotal for the success of the committee, disclosing further that the committee members were already poised for results and “filled with ‘can-do’ spirit for endless possibilities.”
“I believe in the strength of collaboration and open communication. We will appreciate if everyone joins us actively to contribute their ideas, feedback, and insights. I believe it is through our collective efforts that we will achieve our objectives. We want to collaborate with you and everyone to accomplish our shared goals. Please join us,” he solicited.
The full list of committee members include Hon. Muyiwa Fajinmi – Chairman; Agba Akin Moruff Adenekan – Secretary; Salau Oluwatoyin Modupe – Member; Hon. Jamiu Osoba – Member; Mrs. Monsurat Busayo Makanjuola – Member and Engr. Muyis Davies – Member.
Other dignitaries, who witnessed the event were Princess Ojaronke Ogunremi, Directors/ Heads of Departments and many APC party stalwarts in ANLG.
The inauguration of the committee came on the heels of the recent efforts by the ANLG chairman to widen opportunities for the local government in the areas of public-private sector collaboration. In January this year, Dr. Oyegbola-Sodipo embarked on investment and cultural exchange roadshow to three cities in the United States of America (USA) during which he held engagement conversations with policymakers, entrepreneurs and potential investors across the U.S. cities of Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago respectively.
The key objective of the tour was to market the economic and cultural potential of the local government to prospective investors, as well as seek memorandum of understanding for cultural exchanges, aimed at accelerating the socio-economic growth and prosperity of ANLG and its residents.
E-SIGNED:
FAGBIRE OLUWAROTIMI
SENIOR ASSIST. INFORMATION OFFICER
06 – 03 – 2025