An appeal has gone to the Ogun State Government and Chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas to look into ways of introducing and sustaining more Public-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes to ensure rapid development particularly at the grassroots. An industrialist, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye made the appeal in a lecture he delivered at the State Public Service Lecture Forum. Speaking on the topic, “Wealth Creation and Poverty Alleviation in the Society through Public/Private Partnership” Chief Osunkeye who is Board Chairman of Nestle and Lafarge Plc, said if introduced and strengthened at the grassroots, PPP initiatives would bring about huge and positive social impact on employment creation, youth empowerment as well as reduce rural – urban migration. He added that social vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, drug addiction and others bedeviling the society would at least be drastically reduced if not eradicated. “As we have seen PPP work at higher levels of government in Nigeria, it is my firm belief that PPP can even be as effective at the grassroots levels with huge and positive social impact on employment creation, youth empowerment as well as subsequent reduction of rural–urban migration, and reduction in vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, drug addiction which are unfortunately bedeviling our society today “he opined. “My strong appeal therefore goes to Ogun State government and equally importantly to the leaders of the 20 local Governments in the State to look at ways to introduce PPP scheme, by which they can move rapidly, add value and deliver the dividends of democracy to the teeming constituencies, mostly unemployed graduates, youths, widows, pensioners and school leavers at the grassroots level “he advised. The guest lecturer equally urged government to pay greater attention to income distribution by evolving fiscal policies that would ensure that the wealthy pay their taxes appropriately, adding that state wealth should be evenly distributed and enjoyed by all. Earlier in his address, the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun had called on the civil servants to continue being steadfast and dedicated to engender improved productivity and eliminate red-tapism, submitting that the public service has a great role to play in creating wealth in the society. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, Governor Amosun said the private sector had shown readiness to support genuine participation, advocating that all hands must be on deck to achieve this. Senator Amosun who lauded the workers for their creativity and ingenuity, reminded that the battle against poverty is an onerous task that could not be tackled by government alone as it has limited financial resources to provide all needs and posited that if properly nurtured, investment potentials could improve people’s welfare. On her part, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, while welcoming participants said the lecture was a demonstration of government’s commitment to human capital development, adding that the topic was carefully chosen to sensitize public servants on how to create wealth and sustain it to reduce poverty.