By Richard Ayinde, Osogbo.
Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun has described the informal sector as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural preservation of every nation.
Oyetola said this during a meeting with members of the state’s artisan Workers Union on Tuesday in Osogbo.
The governor was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Oyetola said the sector is one the largest employers of labour in the developing world generating income, providing important and unique skills development.
The governor said due to its importance
to the positive contributions to the economy of the state, his administration had made it its priority to see to its survival and sustainability.
Oyetola, who commended members of the informal sector for their support for his administration, said the state government would continue to provide a business friendly environment for the survival of their businesses.
The governor said the values in the repositioning of Osun economy had made his administration put necessary focus on the continued survival of the sector.
He said his administration would continue to patronise them for economic development and viability.
On the forthcoming governorship election in the state, Oyetola urged members of the association to vote for him for continuity.
The governor, who assured them of government support at all times, said their votes for him during the election is for economic stability, progress and development.
He said if reelected, his administration would not withhold its support to the association but it would rather put more efforts into their survival.
Oyetola urged them to get their Permanent voter cards and use the same to vote for him, urging them not to allow any inexperienced politicians to deceive them.
The governor said the economic prosperity of members of the association is his priority and that the State’s Civic Engagement Centre would continue to engage them for their businesses to thrive.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the union, Kareem Owolabi, commended the governor for his various human race programmes for the masses in the state.
Owolabi noted that members of the association were beneficiaries of the government’s monthly food support scheme, which he said had greatly increased their output.
He also said that members of the association were the first to benefit from the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) empowerment programme of the state government.
“The recently introduced Gbowoga initiative to empower artisans as well as SMEs had immensely benefited us.
“We were given about 1000 forms to be distributed to our members in all the local government areas in the state.
“We also benefited from the N30,000 empowerment programme by the state government.
“We are indeed grateful to the governor and we promise our continued support for his administration”, he said.
