The right to private property is a most fundamental principle for social and economic growth. For people of Osun State (State of the Living Spring) – a land rich in culture, intellect, and natural wealth, the recognition and enforcement of this right represent a pathway to prosperity, empowerment, and sustainable growth. The people of Osun have historically valued ownership as a symbol of integrity and dignity, from their land-based heritage to modern forms of enterprise. Activating this private property rights in this new era can unlock the full potential of Osun’s human, cultural, and natural resources, fostering a climate of innovation, accountability, and inclusive progress in Nigeria. Activating private property rights requires adopting a suitable ideology for people to look inwards. Hence, the ideology of intercultural liberty becomes necessary. This intercultural liberty is the belief that:
“there is something great in every community and culture, and so, they all deserve the liberty to own, modify and use their cultural, human and natural resources to prosper and to manifest their greatness to their communities, nations, continent and the world. And that the four institutions of public regulation (government, religion, academia and mass media) are only made to support these communities and their members to manifest their greatness.”
Cultural Resources: Osun state was created in 1991 from the former Oyo state, deriving its name from the River Osun, a deified natural spring where annual traditional festivities are held. Osun state consists of various big and small Yoruba communities like Oshogbo, Ilesa, Iwo, Ede, Ile-Ife, Ikirun, Ila-Orangun, Modakeke-Ife, Iragbidji, Okukum Gbongan, Ikire, Ijebu-Jesa, Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, Imesi-Ile, Ipetumodu, Ejigbo and many others. Osun state has various cultural, tourists and heritage sites like the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), National museum and Zoological Gardens at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife Museum, Ile-Ase, Ita Yemoo, Idi-Baba cultural centre, Adunni Susan Wengers cultural centre, Nike Arts Gallery, the Mbari-Mbayo cultural centres, Olumirin waterfalls at Erin Ijesa, Igbo-Sango at Ede, Ayikunugba Water Falls at Oke-Ila, Ipetu Ilesha, Ooni’s palace, Ile-ife, Ife Museum, Ife Bronze, Oramiyan Staff, Owa Obokun Palace, Ilesha City Wall, Ile-Ife, Erin Ijesha waterfall and an array of artistic traditions in beadwork, music, dance, and festivals. These cultural expressions hold not only spiritual and aesthetic value but also significant economic potential. Recognizing private property rights in cultural industries such as copyrights for artworks, trademarks for cultural brands, and ownership of creative spaces ensures that cultural practitioners benefit directly from their talents and innovations. For example, if local artists, fashion designers, or filmmakers in Osun are legally protected under strong intellectual property frameworks, their works can reach global markets while preserving their ownership and financial rights.
Potential: strengthening private property rights in cultural sectors will encourage investment in creative industries, attract tourism, and preserve indigenous knowledge while ensuring fair economic returns to cultural bearers.
Human Resources: Based on 2008 INEC register, Osun state has about 3.5million great people, as the state has and can still produce a vast pool of intellectuals, artisans, farmers, professionals, and entrepreneurs whose creativity drive growth in the world. The full potential of this human resource can only be realized when individuals have the liberty and security to own and invest in property whether intellectual, physical, or digital. When property rights are protected, people are more inclined to innovate, establish businesses, and invest in skill acquisition. For instance, a young Osun entrepreneur who owns her workspace or creative rights is more likely to expand her enterprise, employ others, and contribute to state revenue.
Potential: activating private property rights can fortify entrepreneurship, encourage youth-led innovation, and reduce dependence on government. It would also improve access to credit, as individuals could use property as collateral for business expansion. Some prominent people from Oyo who can influence this socio-industrial liberation process and prosperity for Oyo people include: Davido (David Adeleke), Adebisi Akande, Deji Adeleke, Iyiola Omisore, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ademola Adeleke, Prince Lawal Yusuf Obelawo, Folorunsho Alakija, Tunde Badmus, Dotun Babeyemi, Ayo Fayemi, Adewale Laoye, Bisi Akande, Mike Bamiloye, Enoch Adeboye, William Folorunsho Kumuyi, Daddy Freeze, Femi Fani Kayode, Rauf Aragbesola, and others.
Natural Resources: Osun State covers 14,875 square kilometers of land and has heavy annual rainfall. And most of the communities have vast arable land for cassava, maize, plantain, banana, yam, millet, cocoa, cashew, palm, and also mineral resources like gold, clay, granite, talc, feldspar, granite, dolomite, quartz, limestone and mica. Yet, like many other resource-rich areas in Nigeria, they face challenges of illegal mining, poor regulation, and limited community benefit. Effective property rights can transform this narrative. By legally enabling individuals, cooperatives, and communities to use their mineral resources, Osun can ensure responsible extraction, reduce exploitation, and local prosperity from the value chain. For instance, secure land ownership would encourage local farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, invest in irrigation, and improve productivity without fear of displacement. Similarly, regulated mining under private ownership would increase transparency, generate local jobs, and promote environmental sustainability.
Potential: Activating private property rights over natural resources could drive industrialization, improve rural livelihoods, and foster partnerships between local investors and international stakeholders while maintaining ecological balance.
The Potentials of Activating Private Property Rights in Nigeria
*The broad activation of private property rights in Nigeria, with Osun as a model, would yield extensive impacts. It would:
*Enhance economic inclusion: Empower citizens to own assets and participate in wealth creation.
*Stimulate investment: Encourage both local and foreign investors through the assurance of secure ownership.
*Promote innovative productivity: enable individuals to create, trade, and expand their enterprises without bureaucratic limitations.
*Encourage accountability and transparency: Clarify ownership and reduce conflicts over land and resource use.
*Advance national development: Support job creation, reduce poverty, and drive sustainable economic diversification.
Conclusion.
The people of Osun embody a legacy of diligence, creativity, and respect for lawful ownership. Strengthening private property rights would not only honor this tradition but also unlock the full potential of the state’s human, cultural, and natural resources. When individuals and communities have the freedom to own, manage, and profit from their resources, society as a whole thrives. Osun can thus serve as a beacon for Nigeria, demonstrating how the protection of property rights can translate values into progress and transform resources into sustainable prosperity.
“Osun: Unlocking Prosperity Through Integrity, Ownership, and Enterprise.”
Written by Loveth Amaka Udezue.
