Prince Yemi Adefulu FCIS Foundation partner Odujinrin & Adefulu Solicitors presenting an Award of Excellence in Corporate Governance (Infrastructural Development) to Ogun State Gov. Dapo Abiodun, received by the Deputy Gov. Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele and flanked by ICSAN President, ‘Gbenga Owokalade FCIS and VP ICSAN Mrs Funmi Ekundayo FCIS, and Commissioners from the Ogun State Cabinet
By Rukayat Moisemhe
Governor of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has received an award of excellence by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) for his commitment to building infrastructure to further drive the state’s economy.
The governor was presented the award at the 46th Annual Conference and Dinner/Awards of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) in Lagos.
The theme of the event is: “The National Debt Burden: Causes, Effects and Realistic Economic Solutions.”
Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Governor, Ogun, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that the focus of his administration was to provide quality governance and create a friendly environment for Public Private Partnership to thrive.
The governor said many of his administration’s goals had been achieved with others such as airport and other infrastructure due for completion by the end of the year.
“This government is committed to resolving issues to position the state strategically as a preferred investment destination by providing the infrastructure needed to engender growth and shore up our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution,” he said.
Speaking on the award, Mr Gbenga Owokalade, President, ICSAN, said some of the reforms that set the governor apart included the establishment of the State Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises and boost their capacity.
Owokalade added that the governor unleashed his ingenuity to bring back the lost glory of education in the state.
“Social welfare and youth development beyond physical projects, among others are some of the governor’s initiatives aimed at empowering the people and making life better for them.
“Ogun is marching forward with vigour, many thanks to the leadership of Gov. Abiodun,” he said.
Prince Yemi Adefule, Foundation Partner, Odujinrin and Adefulu Solicitors, stated that the solutions to the country’s debt burden were not economic but attitudinal.
Adefule stressed the need for Nigerians to begin to eat, drive, wear, use everything locally produced, to stop being held down by the economic dictates of the west.
According to him, a country like India that has heeded his advice has become the fifth largest economy in the world and self sufficient.
“We don’t like Nigerian things; phones, cars, and fittings in our homes. Anything Nigerian is always looked down on and that is a major problem.
“For the economy to run and be strong, the dynamics must change.
“Any economy that is tied to the apron string of some other country is a slave economy.
“That is the reason for the debt burden,” he said.
Similarly, 21 persons were inducted as fellows of the institute, while Mrs Oyindamola Ehiwere was awarded the Distinguished Chartered Secretary and Administrator award of the year.
Also, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remo Kingdom and Chief Diana Chen, Chairman, Choice International Group received awards of excellence.
