NEWS
Chinese Investors Hail Osun’s Infrastructure Growth Under Adeleke
A group of Chinese Investors from mainland China and Hong Kong on Tuesday evening applauded the rapid infrastructural growth across Osun State.
According to a government house statement, issued in Osogbo on Wednesday, they described the development as “a booster to industrialization, economic growth and communal prosperity”
It was gathered that the 22 investors drawn from various sectors such as water processing, food processing to electric vehicles conveyed their review through the head of the team, Nancy Chi of Yuanfar International at a dinner hosted at the Government House.
The event had in attendance, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup among others.
The leader of the delegation speaks further: “There is a saying in Chinese language. If you want to build and spread wealth, if you want economic growth, build roads. That is the secret of China’s development. The Osun governor understands this reality.
“Most Chinese Investors prefer Abuja, Ogun and Lagos as investment destinations but the story is changing. In the past, our people hardly talked about Osun for investment. But now, Osun is fast becoming the investment point among Chinese investors. The reasons are the good work Mr Governor is doing.
“We have gone round the state and we see multiple constructions ongoing. We commend Mr Governor for these good developments. Osun is the heartland of Yoruba people. Chinese Investors are attracted here. Your state is peaceful with beautiful landscapes.
“That is why we are here. Our team is made of investors from various sectors such as food processing, water packaging and treatment, mining, electric vehicles, agro-equipments among others. We are impressed with the support from the state government to facilitate the take off of our investment in the state’s free trade zone and others. Beyond the deals between the state and our team, the Hong Kong government through its investment agency will soon invite the governor for an official visit. The investment agency will also visit Osun state in 2026”, Ms Chi told the gathering.
The Owa Obokun flanked by his wife, Olori Vicky Ayodele Haastrup, the Executive Chairman of ENI limited and serial investor and Ajirowa of Ijesaland, Alhaji Lateef Bakare, described the Adeleke family as the Kennedys of Nigeria with deep interest in economic development as a foundation for successful governance of a state.
According to the imperial majesty, who recalled his days as the Deputy Governor of Osun State, the Chinese investors are interested in setting up industrial plants at Ilesa and other parts of the state, affirming that “these investors are ready for business.
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“The investors we have here are ready to set up operations. They have ambition to build a China Town, a computer village in addition to plans for solar powered Tricycle plants. The investors are deeply interested in the Osun State Free Trade Zone. I commend Mr Governor for providing the enabling environment for business to thrive in the state”, the Royal father affirmed in his address.
Addressing the investors and the royal delegation, Governor Adeleke appreciated the Chinese team for their positive appraisal of his administration, recapping the many initiatives of his administration to reduce the inherited multisectoral infrastructure deficit.
“I note with deep appreciation the acknowledgement of our contributions to develop Osun’s dilapidated infrastructures. I am particularly happy about that Chinese proverb which emphasised the importance of infrastructure for wealth creation and economic development of any community or state. Our government has reduced the Osun infra deficit from over 80 percent to about 40 percent within three years.
“Our government has made it easy for investors to invest in the state by easing the processing of certificates of Occupancy to 45 days. As noted by the Commissioner for Commerce, we have harmonised tax collection to remove multiple taxation. We revived the Osun Free Trade zone that was abandoned by the previous government. Dear Chinese friends and other investors.
“Osun is open for investment. I am glad to announce here that our government has secured accreditation for the study of Chinese language at the University of Ilesa. We mean business in our bid to attract investment from Asia powerhouse. Hurry and invest here”, the governor told the businessmen from China.
The event was attended by members of the state executive council and several Royal fathers from Ijesaland.
At least 11 people, including six children, have died after a fire swept through a market and surrounding buildings in Indonesia’s easternmost Papua region.
The deadly blaze broke out shortly after midnight on Monday in Paniai, Central Papua province, and quickly spread to several tightly packed shophouses and structures in the area.
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According to local police spokesman Henry J. Manurung, firefighters battled the inferno for more than three hours before eventually bringing it under control.
“During the inspection, officers found 11 victims who had died with burn injuries,” Manurung said in a statement.
He said five of the victims were adults, while the other six were children aged between two and nine years.
The fire destroyed at least 40 kiosks and houses despite the deployment of fire trucks and water cannons by emergency responders.
Manurung said the tightly packed arrangement of the houses and market stalls contributed to the rapid spread of the flames and made firefighting operations more difficult.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the deadly fire.
The incident adds to a series of deadly fires recorded in Indonesia in recent years.
In December, 22 people were killed when fire swept through a seven-storey office building in Central Jakarta. Police said an exploding drone battery on the ground floor was the likely cause.
In 2023, an explosion at a nickel-processing plant in eastern Indonesia also claimed at least 12 lives.
The latest tragedy has left the Paniai community mourning as authorities continue efforts to establish what triggered the devastating blaze.
United States President Donald Trump has sparked controversy after suggesting that New Mexico should be given a new name.
Trump made the proposal on Sunday in a social media post, saying several people had suggested changing the name of the southwestern US state.
He described the proposed alternative as “more prestigious and beautiful” for what he called an “incredible State,” adding that he loved the idea.
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The White House later reposted an image illustrating the proposed change, with the word “Mexico” in New Mexico’s name crossed out and replaced.
However, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham swiftly rejected the suggestion, insisting that the state’s name was not open for debate.
Speaking to Fox News, Lujan Grisham said the name had belonged to the state since before the United States existed.
She also accused Trump of seeking to distract Americans from pressing issues, including soaring gas prices.
The latest proposal is part of a broader pattern of name-change suggestions by Trump since returning to the White House.
Trump previously moved to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America shortly after beginning his second presidential term in 2025, a move rejected by Mexico.
Last week, he also suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz, although he later appeared to indicate that he was not being serious about the proposal.
Trump has additionally proposed changing the name of Lake Ontario, a move that has been rejected by Canada.
Some US media reports have suggested that the latest New Mexico name-change idea may have originated as an internet hoax before being amplified by the president.
Despite Trump’s suggestion, Governor Lujan Grisham has made clear that there is no debate over changing the state’s name.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has left for vacation in Europe even as he ordered a probe into the emerging dispute over the kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Government.
According to a government house statement on Sunday in Osogbo, the governor will also embark on medicals as part of the vacation and is headed to the United Kingdom among other destinations to be announced later.
“I am taking a short break to refresh and get further prepared to serve the good people of Osun state”, the governor stated while taking off at the Lagos airport.
He however directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported appointment of another king for Koka Ilase, leading to alleged two kings in the same town.
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The ministry was instructed to review the situation and enforce due process of the law in respect of the chieftaincy law and tradition.
“I read of another King appointed outside the one on the stool. The ministry is hereby directed to look into the dispute and issue a report to set the records straight.
“I however urge all stakeholders to remain peaceful as the ministry does the needful. Kingship is governed by extant laws and regulations and the government will stand by the law and tradition of our people”, the governor posited.
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