By Adekola Afolabi

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said his administration is not only making entrepreneurshi development a major priority but has consistently created an attractive business environment since inception.

Governor Akeredolu who believes that creating an enabling environment aids the process of achieving value in business and it is a major driver in achieving business goals, also pointed to his administration’s efforts on security and infrastructure as some of the basic arrangements being put in place to ensure enabling environment.

He explained that when the corporate environment is bedeviled with inclement atmosphere, businesses suffer, services are unsatisfactory, investors are discouraged, ideas and innovations die, unemployment rate increases, hunger and insecurity become the order of the day.

Governor Akeredolu spoke on Friday at the Entrepreneurs’ Summit 2022 held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The DOME), Akure, Ondo State capital.

Thousands of young entrepreneurs comprising male and female attended the summit organised by the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Development Agency (ONDEA). The theme of the summit is “Creating an enabling Environment”.

At the well attended event, Governor Akeredolu presented one million naira each to ten innovative entrepreneurs as business grants. He also gave out 1,000 (one thousand) free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Registration Certificates to businesses.

Akeredolu particularly congratulated all the entrepreneurs for being part of the epoch-making event, saying the young poeple would determine Africa’s future.

He expressed joy that through ONDEA his administration has developed, managed and empowered thousands of entrepreneurs, including the participants of the summit, for poverty eradication, job creation and economic development in Nigeria..

In his quest to further enhance the enabling environment for businesses in the state, Governor Akeredolu also formally launched the first Ondo State online classified marketplace (www.ondomarket.com) that will expose products and services to the world. 

He said it is a platform where businesses and entrepreneurs can upload their innovative products and services, buy and sell from one another as well as position their businesses for global brand visibility. 

The Governor noted that the 10 beneficiaries of business grants would also embark on an international business trip designed to foster networking opportunities and open up their entrepreneurial minds for global awareness and innovative approach to proffering economic solutions for the advancement of the State and the country at large. 

While explaining that the country needs to be an enabling environment for all, Akeredolu equally emphasised that urgent and constant attention must be given to the security of lives and property, provision of health care, infrastructural development, constant power supply, innovative education, access to funds and many more.

“On security, the Ondo State Security Network: Amotekun Corps is recording huge success in fighting crime and criminality to ensure that our businesses and individuals are safe with a view to making the Sunshine State an attractive destination to investors.  Recently we launched “Ondo Eyes, Oju Ondo’ an innovative  and all-embracing security platform for all security agencies, being driven by technology to further improve security of businesses, lives and property in our dear Sunshine State.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development and CEO ONDEA, Dr. Summy Smart-Francis, lauded Governor Akeredolu for his unwavering commitment to development of young entrepreneurs in the state, and as well creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He equally encouraged the young entrepreneurs to be focused and determined, saying Governor Akeredolu has created a lot of business opportunities in the state through ONDEA.

Other panelists including the deputy Governor, lucky Aiyedatiwa, who spoke at the summit applauded Governor Akeredolu for his sterling achievements in all sectors of the economy in the state.