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Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said that his seven-year old government has so far disbursed about N1 billion as soft loans to artisans and trade unions in the state, even as he bagged the Most Artisan Friendly Governor award.
Speaking on efforts of government to empower Artisans in the state at a stakeholders meeting held at the Alagbaka government house on New Year eve, Mimiko reiterated his administration's commitment to continue to empower artisans to drive the needed socio economic development.
He emphasised the need to diversify the nation's economy in all critical sectors particularly agriculture for sustainable growth.
He enjoined the people of the state to engage in one farming system or the other as a way of overcoming the harsh economic climate that Nigeria is experiencing because of the global fall in the price of crude oil, even as he enjoined all to work very hard in the new year to ensure a good life.
The Governor had earlier bagged the Most Artisan Friendly Governor Award presented to him after the Artisans declared their support for all the good projects embarked upon by the Mimiko led administration at the State's ARTISANS DAY 2015 and Awards Presentation, held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure with dignitaries including the Governor's wife, Olukemi, deputy governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo and his wife Fatimo among others in attendance.
At the event, Dr. Mimiko mentioned that his administration had made available all necessary assistance that will make artisans in the State flourish since the inception of his administration and promised to continue to ensure that the existing peace in the state was sustained.
The Governor, who was optimistic that God will make a way for Nigeria in her critical period, said God has helped his administration to do much for the people of the State.
He explained that Akure, the State Capital was in total darkness when he came to power in 2009 and noted that other states have learned from Ondo in many facets of human endeavors, including bringing their artisans to national limelight.
The President General of the State Artisans Group (OSAG), Comrade Komolafe Daisi and the president of the State Traders' Union (OSATU) Mrs Victoria Adedotun at the event renewed their continued support and loyalty to the Mimiko- led administration particularly the unusual giant strides and transformation in all sectors of the state economy.
