Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration will continue to prioritise economic development to solve the state’s major challenges.
The governor stated this when signing into law the executive bill establishing the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED).
Makinde said his administration will continue to prioritise economic development to address the major challenges facing the people.
He said when economic development is prioritised, continuous education is needed, adding that you cannot win people’s trust if you do not clearly communicate where you are taking them.
“There is hunger in the land, which does not reflect where we should be as a nation. So, we must create a framework to harness our potential through mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy. So, this agency is a key part of the framework.
“OYMASED will play a big role in the continuous mobilisation and sensitisation of the various demographics in Oyo State for the pursuit of social, economic, political and environmental development”
Makinde also announced the appointment of a former state commissioner for education, Dr Morohunkola Thomas, his special adviser on socioeconomic development, as the agency’s director-general.
According to him, the establishment of the agency is in line with his belief that the administration will be defined not only by the massive infrastructure it has built but also by the strong institutions it has established.
He said, “We are here today to sign one of the most important laws that will shape the future of this administration and our dear state; the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development Bill (2004).
“With OYMASED, we have an agency that will clarify abstract ideas in our state economic policies and educate our people about the law and political process.
“This agency we are creating today will serve as a rallying point for several key MDAs of the government.”
The governor added, “As a country, we have to prioritise production and we cannot be productive without mobilising our people behind what we want to do. When we broaden our productive base, that is when we know we are tackling the issue of taking our people out of poverty into prosperity.’’