Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun says his administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for the textile industry to thrive in the state.
Oyetola made the remark during an engagement with the members of the State Textile Dealers Association on Thursday in Osogbo.
The governor, who described the textile industry as a strong commercial sector, said its significant roles in economic development could not be over-emphasized.
The governor was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Oyetola said that the industry had been playing significant roles in the areas of sustainable commercialization, foreign investment, and employment generation in the country.
The governor noted that it was in the realization of historical economic benefits of the sector that his administration had been putting in place the necessary infrastructure for the textile industry to thrive.
He said, “We cannot underplay the pivotal role the sector played in stemming the tide of unemployment between the late 1950s and early 1990s.
“This has precipitated the efforts of the current administration to make this sector thrive, among many others for sustainable socio-economic development.
“It should be noted that our administration declared every Thursday Osun Adire Day.
“The directive that all public and civil servants be dressed on Adire same day, is not only to promote our culture and tourism, but also to specifically develop the state textile industry.”
According to him, the initiative of establishing an international trade center in Dagbolu area of the state is part of the concerted efforts towards sustainable industrialization.
He said it was also to strengthen importation and exportation of textile products, as well as give the state businesses international exposure.
“Many road networks and other necessary infrastructures such as Olaiya flyover, capital city roads, intra, and inter-community roads, among others are being massively constructed.
“This is to particularly provide ease of doing businesses and to also advance the state foreign investment strategy,”he said.
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Earlier in her remarks, the association’s President, Mrs. Misturat Adedapo, appealed to the government to consider them for more value-added benefits.
She listed the values to include intensive loan facilities and grants, which could bring about a drastic development of the industry.
Adedapo commended the administration of Oyetola for abolishing the single uniform policy in the state education sector.
The association president said that reverting to the old school uniforms had indeed improved their businesses.
