Monarch Hails Osun Governor For Diversifying Economy Through Gold Mining

The Alakola of Ikola-Ijesa in Atakumosa West Local Government of Osun State, Nigeria’s sout-west, Oba Festus Adeyemi, has hailed Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for his efforts to diversify the economy through gold mining.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, said that Oba Adeyemi, during a rural/community engagement programme, noted that with more revenue coming into the state’s coffers through mining, Osun would soon end over-reliance on federal allocation, even as the nation continued to struggle to end reliance on crude oil for revenue.

He said: “I want to commend the governor for taking mining activities from artisan to corporate level, with the involvement of private sector players coming for exploration and exportation.

“This will have a positive effect on the economy of the state because with the current efforts of the governor, in the next few years, gold will be our own crude oil in Osun State.

“We are also collaborating with the Federal Government on mining. Our state is one of the two states, along with Kebbi State, selected as pilot states for the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI).”

Adeyemi, as an Oba of a community where mining activities take place, also hailed Oyetola’s positive efforts in the areas of health, infrastructure, agriculture and education across the state.

Governor Oyetola, represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, said Osun was known for large deposit of mineral resources such as gold, lead, zinc, quartz, feldspar and several precious metals.

He said his administration was determined to invest in the resources for the growth of the economy.