Makinde Officially Flags Off Oyo International Trade Fair EXPOYO 2024 15yr After

Makinde Officially Flags Off Oyo International Trade Fair EXPOYO 2024 15yr After

As part of strategic measures by the government of Oyo state to stimulate commerce and the local economy amid the prevailing economic challenges in the country, Governor Seyi Makinde has revived the annual Oyo International Trade Fair in Ibadan by flagging off the 2024 edition 15 year after it last held.

The official flag off of EXPOYO 2024 with the theme “Showcasing Economic Potentials of Oyo State Through Agriculture, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises” held on Monday at the permanent Trade Fair Complex, Sango-UI Road, Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde, while delivering his address at the event billed to last between February 26 and March 6, would henceforth, hold annually.

It was gathered however, that the event which is a large periodic gathering to promote sales and promotion of goods and services marked the revival of the international trade fair 15 years after it held in 2009 as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as large organizations such as BOVAS Company and De-Damak Motors displayed their products at different stands.

Governor Seyi Makinde who commended the Ministry of Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperative and the State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA) for the joint initiative while calling for a deliberate action by investors and all stakeholders to exploit the prevailing economic situation for the benefit of the state.

The governor stated that the current economic challenges also portend great opportunities to exploit for the benefit of the state, stressing that his administration would continue to put strategic measures in place to unlock the state’s potentials.

Makinde equally cautioned against what he described as ‘playiyng of blame game’ amid the current economic crisis stressing that such situations always come with its benefits that could be converted to economic gains.

“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.

He 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.” Makinde added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperative, Otunba Ademola Ojo commended Governor Makinde for not only approving the resuscitation of the International Trade Fair but also providing all the needed support including funds for the success of the event.

The commissioner described the governor’s approval as a strategic conscious awakening of the state’s economy adding that the event serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Makinde led administration to foster economic growth and development both domestically and internationally.

“It is important to state that the trade fair was not only support via approval alone but magnanimously supported financially. The theme of this event was carefully chosen to adequately propagate potentials of Oyo state in areas of our endowments. This is a giant stride by our governor in the rejuvenation of our economy.” The Commissioner said.

Other Stakeholders including NACCIMA and OYCCIMA, in there seperate remarks lauded Governor Makinde for his economic policies and approach to governance particularly his deliberate prioritization of the improving the state’s economy through resuscitation of the International Trade Fair which they noted was neglected by past administration since 2009.

They assured of their support in collaboration with the ministry in charge to ensure the event henceforth holds annually uninterruptedly while urging exhibitors to take full advantage of all the opportunities that abound throughout the Fair.