Speaking during an empowerment programme designed to support unemployed graduates in Ogun State held in Abeokuta where he demonstrated the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for young people and professionals, Collins said no meaningful economic transformation could be achieved without first guaranteeing the security of lives and property.
According to him, insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, disrupted commercial activities, weakened healthcare delivery and affected the education sector across several communities in Ogun State.
“The heart of every thriving economy is security. Once people are afraid to farm, trade, invest or even move freely, development suffers. If farmers cannot safely cultivate their lands and transport their produce, food production drops, businesses struggle and families bear the consequences,” Collins said.
He cited communities in Imeko-Afon and Yewa North as examples where fear of criminal attacks has discouraged residents from engaging in agricultural activities, stressing that the resulting decline in food production directly impacts the state’s economy.
The ADC candidate further noted that insecurity has shortened business hours for traders and market women, saying many now close their shops much earlier than they ordinarily would for fear of attacks.
“When traders begin shutting down by late afternoon instead of doing business into the evening, it affects their income and reduces economic activity. A secure environment naturally supports a vibrant economy where people can work and transact with confidence,” he added.
Collins also expressed concern over the impact of insecurity on education and healthcare, lamenting that schools have scaled back extracurricular activities while many health workers are reluctant to remain in rural communities due to safety concerns.
“Our schools are gradually losing important activities because of security concerns, and many healthcare workers are unwilling to stay in remote areas where they fear for their safety. That means ordinary people suffer because access to education and healthcare becomes more difficult,” he said.
While outlining his vision for the state, Collins disclosed that his administration would implement an economic development framework known as the “Ogun One Economy” blueprint, a comprehensive policy document developed over two years by a team of research analysts covering sectors including agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, industry and technology.
He said the blueprint would leverage technology and innovation to unlock Ogun State’s economic potential while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investment.
Collins also revealed that discussions had been held with international investors capable of bringing significant investments into Ogun State, maintaining that sustainable economic growth would only be possible under a secure environment.
“We cannot talk about attracting investors or building a modern economy without first addressing security. Once people feel safe, businesses will flourish, investments will come in and we can build an economy that works for everyone” he stated.
