By Evelyn Omotoye
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has expressed its administration’s readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to  implement programmes that will boost the productivity of artisans across the state.

The Governor made this known during the 2019 Artisans Day celebrations held at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure yesterday.

According to the governor, the annual programme will not only showcase the good relationship between the State Government and artisans in the state, but will also signal continued interest in making them a showpiece for others to emulate.

Akeredolu stated that annual artisans’ festival must be able to drive and enhance the youths’ productivity in order to create wealth as it is done in the other parts of the world.

He noted that artisans in other parts of the world, are a major source of employers of labour who are expected to contribute  a high percentage to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Also speaking, the Senator representing Ondo North, Sen. Tayo Alasoadura congratulated the artisans on the celebration of their day saying the government is always ready to assist them in enhancing their businesses.

He urged the artisans to look at what the present administration is doing for them since its inception and give their total support to the government  both at the state and federal level so that they can continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Artisan President General of the Ondo State Artisans’ Group, OSAG, Akomolafe Daisi thanked the state governor for celebrating with vocational workers in the state.

While also appreciating the governor for the recent N50b loan given the group, the OSAG boss appealed to the government for inclusion of more of his members in another phase of the micro credit scheme.

Daisi further expressed hope that the governor would endorse the request for N100 million soft loans to the 18 Local Government chapters as contained in a letter earlier submitted.

Daisi equally pleaded with the government to give his members adequate patronage in their various area of vocational specialisation in the execution of its various infrastructural projects in the state,  saying this will help them grow their businesses to earn a living and be able to pay back their revolving loan.