Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday played host to members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) specialized in business and tourism law at the Government House in Ibadan.
The event held on Friday evening at the Presidential Lodge of the State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The Governor, represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, used the occasion to spotlight his administration’s ongoing efforts to create a business-friendly environment and attract both local and international investors.
The event, which brought together prominent legal minds, government officials, and prospective investors provided a platform for Governor Makinde to highlight the strides his administration has made in legal reforms, ease of doing business, and infrastructural development geared towards boosting economic growth in the state.
In his address, the deputy governor stressed the critical role of the legal community in promoting a transparent, just, and investor-friendly society.
As part of the Makinde’s Ibadan urbanization agenda, Barrister Lawal stated that the government is accelerating works on the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road Project, one of its kind in the whole of Nigeria.
He commended the lawyers for their contributions to upholding the rule of law while enhancing the legal framework that guides business and commercial activities noting that the state is willing to work closely with the body of legal practitioners to enhance its legal framework for the state’s business environment.
He urged the lawyers to become active participants in Oyo State’s economic transformation by transforming the outcome of their deliberation and findings into a strong recommendations for the state government, assuring that government will in turn transmit such recommendations to a working documents going forward.
He said the state has made a deliberate efforts to ensure Oyo is open for business by improving infrastructure, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and strengthening legal institutions to protect investments.
He called on the NBA members to endeavor to visit some of the tourist sites and the road network connecting such locations to the city to form part of a robust appraisal of the ongoing efforts to position Oyo state as a big money investment destination globally.
“We are committed to creating a conducive environment that not only welcomes investors but also guarantees the safety and sustainability of their businesses and investments, the deputy governor said”
The deputy governor also emphasized recent achievements, including the establishment of the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA), improved security through the Amotekun Corps, and massive investments in road networks and energy infrastructure.
He pointed to a growing interest from investors in sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, and technology assuring that Oyo state has factored into its sustainable economic plan, issues that may constitute concerns regarding their business interests.
In her brief address, Mrs. Chienye Oragwu, leader of the lawyers delegation expressed appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality upon arrival in the state capital.
She lauded the Makinde led administration for its proactive governance and openness to collaboration. They commended Makinde’s approach to what was described as a transformative governance and affirmed the body’s willingness to support initiatives that promote hospitality, tourism, and economic development as well as legal integrity.
The lawyers are expected to continue their engagement today with a roundtable talk where representatives of the state government including the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun as keynote speaker will deliberate on strategic areas bothering on tourism and hospitality and the come up with a robust legal framework to drive the aftermath of the talks.
Others who spoke at the event include the Chief Judge of Oyo state; Justice Iyabo Yerima represented by Justice A. L. Akintola and Dr Morounkola Thomas.
Present at the dinner were the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly,Rt.Hon.Adebo Ogundoyin represented by his deputy, Hon.Mohammed Fadeyi, state Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (Mni), members of the state Executive Council, CCII President General, Barrister Adeniyi Ajewole, the Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and other top government officials.