Ajilete Youth Summit: Ex Oyo Commissioner, Afonja makes case for youth development, improved economic growth in Ogbomoso* …recognized with prestigious award

*Ajilete Youth Summit: Ex Oyo Commissioner, Afonja makes case for youth development, improved economic growth in Ogbomoso*

…recognized with prestigious award

Former Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja AbdulRahman, has articulated a compelling case for human capital development and enhanced economic growth in Ogbomoso.

Afonja, speaking at the Ajilete Youth Summit as one of the panelists on Thursday, underscored human capital as a fundamental strength inherent in Ogbomoso’s youth demographic.

He advocated for ongoing self-development among the young people, urging them to actively contribute to the advancement of Ogbomoso.

“I want to emphasize the importance of economic growth as a crucial factor in unlocking massive and comprehensive development in Ogbomoso,” he stated.

Afonja, who also highlighted the need for public and private organizations to collaborate in fulfilling this responsibility, however noted that Africa, Nigeria, Oyo state, and Ogbomosho don’t need loans and charity but jobs.

He said: “It’s time we encourage investors and manufacturing industries to come into Ogbomosho so that we aggressively build our economy, and create jobs for our indigene while we compete with other places like Ibadan.

According to him, reducing payroll and consumer taxes on all Nigeria-made products is very important to alleviate the burden on the poor.

“Africa, Nigeria, Oyo State, and Ogbomosho don’t need loans and charity; what our people need is jobs, jobs, and jobs.”

The former Commissioner emphasized the need to draw manufacturing industries and investors to Ogbomosho, as well as the need to envision rapid economic growth and job creation, calling for policies such as low taxes and reduced tenet rates to facilitate the ease of investment and foster healthy competition with other regions like Ibadan.

Afonja was presented an award of excellence by the Ajilete Youth, which is composed of representatives from each of the five local governments in the Ogbomoso zone, in recognition of his contributions to the town’s growth.