Odu’a Investment Company Limited launches Heritage Mall and Cocoa Mall located in the Central Business District of the ancient city of Oyo State 

 The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who led the representatives of other governors to the inauguration which was witnessed by politicians , captains of industry and royal fathers from Yorubaland, promised to provide conducive environment that will attract both local and foreign investors.

The Heritage Mall, which was wholly financed by 0du’a and designed by ab.dt partnership with the major contractor L’Dalberto, cost N2 billion. Cocoa Mall was a partnership arrangement between 0dua and Top Services Limited and built at the cost of N1 billion Addressing those present, Governor Ajimobi, said his administration has created the environment of peace as against what he met before taking over the mantle of leadership, assuring of making the state business and leisure friendly for the citizens and investors.

 He revealed that his administration has embarked on massive infrastructure development and beautification of the environment to allow investors invest in the state while stating that his government will continue to partner with private sectors, international and donor agencies to develop the state.

Ajimobi said the building of the malls by 0dua was in tandem with his transformation agenda, stating that the state will complement what 0dua has done with plans to build a hotel to be owned by the state at the back of Premier Hotel.

 The governor who lauded 0dua for the giant strides, said it would boost economic activities of Ibadan and the state in general as the projects would provide over 2,000 jobs for residents of the state.

 He said the shopping malls were one of the fruits of the developmental agenda embarked upon by his administration and a confirmation of the importance of the private sector participation in the economic and social development of the state, stressing that the state government would not relent in its efforts at partnering with the private sector to take the state to greater height.

 He added that his administration had equally partnered with the private sector in the on- going construction of a five-star hotel located within Agodi axis as well as the rehabilitation of the popular Agodi Gardens for leisure and tourism purposes. The Managing Director of 0dua Investment Company, Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, said the development of the malls was borne out of perceived need or demand by high net-worth individuals in the South West who spend time and money travelling to Lagos at weekends to shop.

 He said, “Of particular interest are some expatriates community here in Ibadan with police escort for their weekend shopping”. The GMD while stating that the new malls by statistics and standards meet international specifications, noted that why international brands such as Shoprite, Mr Price, Cash and Carry, The Film House, Samsung and lifemate Furniture,KFC,Slot among others are tenants in the malls.

 Adebayo said the commencement of operation by the brands in the malls had witnessed tremendous number of visitors who daily thronged in to purchase various items. He added that the building of the malls have led to empowerment and creation of jobs in Ibadan and its environs, noting that over 2000 jobs have been created for people and “more are still coming when the malls are fully operational”.

 The Chairman of Odua, Chief Sharafadeen Alli, said the commissioning of the malls would make things happen by turning positively the economic situation of the South West states of Nigeria. He said, “I have the belief that there will be a replication of these malls in the remaining states that make up Odua in the near future”. A former Chairman of Odua Investment, Prince Julius Adelusi- Adeluyi, while also speaking, stressed the need for social and economic integration by all the Yoruba-speaking states so as to bring the South-West geopolitical zone back to the path of development as it was in the days of the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Guests present at the ceremony include Governor Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, represented by Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi,0ndo State Governor, 0lusegun Mimiko represented by Director of Commerce, Robert Adewole and Governor Rauf Aregbesola represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Adebayo Salmon.

2013-11-19