South-West Governors resolve to unite for economic development

According to Vanguard, the Governors also agreed to form a common regional front to stand against any external influence that will hamper the economic and social interest of the region.

The Governors put away party affiliations and said they will stand together to commonly pursue the development of the region.

The Governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi was the host of the South-West Governors’ economic forum which was held in Ibadan.

Ajimobi said “Your presence at this meeting is a clear testimony of the importance you all have attached to the common challenges confronting us as a people. Today our country is buffeted by economic and political challenges.

“Several states are struggling to pay basic salaries with arrears running into several months; manufacturers struggling to access foreign exchange for raw materials are shutting down leading to mass redundancy of our people.

“Unfortunately most of these people are resident in the South-West region, which is the industrial base of the country. We need to quickly explore escape routes from poverty through empowerment and equipping of our youths with requisite skills.”

Speaking also, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state, said the main aim of the meeting was to work out how best to develop the region and put food on the common man’s table.

He said “All states, including Ekiti, have subscribed to and agreed that regional integration is the best way forward. We must do everything humanly possible not to go back on our resolves. It is forward for the people and for the Yoruba race. “We agreed that the next meeting, which holds in the next two months, will be held in Ekiti State.”

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state also said the Governors should put aside political interests and unite to build the South-West.

The Osun state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola also called on the Governors to ensure the prosperity and survival of the people in the South West.

The Governors also issued a communiqué saying “the interest of the Yoruba people should be in focus at all times, and all politics must be politics of development.

“That regional cooperation, synergy and economics of scale is important to move the region forward; that good intentions must be backed by sincerity of purpose; that the prosperity of any constituent part is negated if others are not.”

Governor Fayose also revealed that Ekiti state will host the next meeting in two months time.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State was also present at the meeting and the Ondo state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko was represented by the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr. Rotimi Adelola.