Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the August 15, Osun State Governorship poll, Bola Oyebamiji. Photo: Oyebamiji

The revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port ranks prominently among the key economic assets the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji has promised to revive, as part of a comprehensive strategy to reposition the state as a leading investment and industrial destination.

According to a statement on Sunday, Oyebamiji disclosed this in Osogbo on Saturday when he received members of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, unveiled his Osun prosperity agenda themed, ‘A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development.’

He described it as a practical blueprint for economic transformation, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.

Oyebamiji highlighted that unlocking the economic potential of the state’s strategic assets such as the Dagbolu Dry Port, the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oba Hills National Park, the Ido-Osun Airport, and the Osun Free Trade Zone “would stimulate commerce, strengthen tourism, attract local and foreign investment, support entrepreneurship and create sustainable employment opportunities across the state.”

“The revival of the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone would improve trade facilitation, boost logistics and position Osun as a competitive industrial and export hub within Nigeria. We will resuscitate strategic economic assets that have the capacity to transform Osun’s economy, stimulate private sector investment and create wealth for our people,” he said.

Earlier, the WABOTAN President, Tope Fajemirokun, described Oyebamiji as a high-performing administrator, adding that his success stories at NIWA will be replicated in Osun State.

Fajemirokun opined that under Oyebamiji’s leadership, Osun State could emerge as a leading player in marine and blue economy development, especially maritime tourism via Osun-Osogbo Grove, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, among others.

The visit was in recognition of Oyebamiji’s contributions to Nigeria’s inland waterways sector during his tenure as the Managing Director of NIWA.