Editor’s Diary: EXPOYO 2024–How Ademola Ojo’s Grassroots Experience Broke 15yr Jinx In Oyo

Ademola Ojo’s visionary leadership since becoming the Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperative in Oyo state has been a catalyst for transformative change within the Ministry and the commerce landscape, and positioning it as Governor Saying Makinde’s engine room for economic growth and development.

Otunba Ojo’s strategic initiatives and commitment to engender a business-friendly environment and help Governor Makinde’s economic expansion agenda come alive through integration of informal sector operators into the taxable net of the formal sector have not only recorded tremendous success and cooperation of stakeholders but has also propelled the state towards becoming a hub for commerce and innovation.

An event which first held in 1983 was soon to be abandoned by successive government afterwards until 2009 when the international trade fair held again.

It only required the vision and foresight of the Ibarapa born commissioner for trade, Otunba Ademola Ojo backed by a pragmatic Governor, who remains committed to taking advantage of every economic challenges to the benefits of Oyo state and her people.

One of Otunba Ojo’s key accomplishments among others in less than a year in office since becoming the commissioner for Trade is the championing of innovative initiatives aimed at attracting investments and promoting entrepreneurship at all economic levels.

His grassroots experience as former Oyo state chairman of ALGON (Association of Local Government of Nigeria) played a key role in reviving the Oyo International Trade Fair tagged “EXPOYO 2024” 15 years after it had fizzled out.

Through his extensive network and deep understanding of the local market, Otunba Ojo, also a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde under Omititun 1.0 was able to mobilize key stakeholders, such as OYCCIMA, NACCIMA, local businesses, relevant government MDAs, and community leaders, to come together and breathe new life into the trade fair.

His focus on cutting bureaucratic red tape has made it easier for businesses in the informal sector to seamlessly commence the integration process within the state, thereby opening up access to endless government opportunities at both state and federal levels to the traders and artisans while creating a more conducive atmosphere for economic activities.

This streamlined approach has not only removed the imaginary fear among these traders and artisans being captured for integration into the formal sector but is also accelerating business growth and enhancing the overall ease of doing business in the Oyo state.

Governor Makinde, while commending Otunba Ojo’s Ministry of Trade as well as OYCCIMA for the epochal event during the official flag off of the International Trade Fair EXPOYO 2024 in Ibadan earlier in the week said: “As you’re aware, 2009 was the last time this exhibition held here, those people who told people not to vote for me this last year, there wouldn’t have been this sort of exhibition if you hadn’t voted for me.

” People used to say that governors don’t work during their second tenure, but this did not happen during my first tenure but the second tenure, this is happening.

“I know this is a very tough period for us as a country economically, things are not going as expected but this is not the time to give up, this is actually the time to look at opportunities because everytime there are challenges, opportunities are always lurking in the corner. And for us in Oyo state, we are not giving up

“I know right here and now, there are notable industrialists. This is not by mouth but what we can all see that they’ve done, at least I know about three industries that ‘baba Amao (an industrialist) is operating.

” So, it’s time for us as a country to change our orientation. Yeah! People would say we should eat what we produced in Nigeria and then showcasing the theme of this event which is “Showcasing Economic Potentials of Oyo State Through Agriculture, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises”.

” We’re not interested only in things we would consume locally in Oyo state, export substitution means you’re looking only at your own market, export orientation means we want to produce here and sell to the world, and earn all the necessary foreign exchange in dollars because if we’re producing well for ourselves locally, we would not be having the ongoing naira/dollar crisis.

“So, for us in Oyo state, it’s a challenge for OYCCIMA and also industrialists among us, we must develop our export market, we must attract foreigners and in the years to come this exhibition will become truly international.” Makinde said.

Governor Makinde equally assured that there is a conducive atmosphere and business environment, not just for the ongoing exhibition but for trade and industrialization to thrive while reassuring that his administration remains committed to attracting huge investments to the state.

“It is not acceptable to me or to any of us in Oyo state that 120km away from here, a state is generating over 65 billion naira as revenue every month and we here, we’re struggling to generate 4 billion naira every month.”

Leveraging the huge support from Governor Makinde, Ojo was successful in securing sponsorships, organizing promotional events, and creating a buzz around the international trade fair that attracted not only local exhibitors and visitors but also the big players as participants such as BOVAS and Company; one of the leading mainstream oil and gas company in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Otunba Ojo’s commitment to skill development and capacity building has been instrumental in empowering local entrepreneurs. Through strategic partnerships with relevant institutions and industry leaders, he has implemented training programs that equip individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving business landscape.

In line with Governor Makinde’s vision for sustainable development under Omititun 2.0 and his economic expansion plan, Otunba Ojo has clearly demonstrated that he not only have full grasp of his mandate as an integral part of the big plan in the ministry of trade, investigation and industry but is also ready to stick out his neck to champion initiatives that promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible business practices.

By encouraging businesses at all levels to adopt sustainable strategies including being integrated into the formal sector with acces to business grants and loans, he has not only contributed to preservation of the economic expansion plan but has also attracted socially conscious investors, thereby, reinforcing the state’s commitment to responsible economic growth.

Safe to state at this point considering the laudable initiatives of the ministry under the leadership of Otunba Ojo, the ministry of Trade has not only been positioned as one of Governor Makinde’s engine room for economic development but is also transforming it diligently for successive governments.

As Otunba Ojo continues to steer the Ministry of Trade towards excellence, the impact on the economic landscape is poised to be a lasting legacy for Governor Makinde’s administration while his hands-on approach and commitment to promoting economic growth at the grassroots level have equally become instrumental in turning around the fortunes of the trade fair and putting it back on the map as a vibrant platform for thriving commerce in Oyo State.