Amosun, Ambode, Ajimobi, other governors develop 25 years masterplan for S’ West
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By Sola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)
NIGERIA: GOVERNORS in the South-West have agreed to map out strategies to develop their region within the next 25 years through Western Nigeria Development Masterplan.
The governors from the mainly Yoruba speaking states also resolved to jointly carry out actions to pursue and sustain crime-free region.
The governors made these known on Monday after their meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, under the aegis of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
The host Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, read the communique on behalf of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governors – Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti)
Amosun said that the meeting mainly focused on strong and implementable decisions that would drive the sustainable development of the region.
The Governor, who disclosed that the theme of the meeting is “Economic Self-Determination For Western Nigeria: The Export Alternative” also said that they had declared zero tolerance for crime in the region.
“That a joint task force and joint actions will be pursued and sustained on security threats to guarantee the safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people of the region,” he said, adding: “That Western Nigeria is hereby declared a zero tolerance zone.”
“That the artificial boundaries of states, religions, political affiliations etc will not be a barrier to regional development,” Amosun said.
He also said: “All the states are encouraged to significantly improve bilateral and multilateral cooperation to foster regional development.”
Amosun also explained that they decided that the competitive advantage of constituent states would be harnessed for sustainable regional development, while DAWN should develop a revenue optimization strategy for constituent states of the region.
He further said: “In order to improve the food security of the region, DAWN should convene a regional agric summit to be held in Ibadan.”
Amosun also said that the governors agreed that approval should be given for the establishment of a Western Nigeria Export Development Initiative (WENEDI) to drive the export potentials of the region.
“That synergy of DAWN Commission, ODUA group and other critical stakeholders should develop a framework to drive the commercial and industrialization competitiveness of the Region,” he maintained.
He added that they resolved that a committee should be inaugurated for the codification of the region’s values and ethos as an instrument of Yoruba uniqueness to strengthen their identity and unity of purpose.
Similarly, Amosun, who said that their meeting henceforth would be called Western Nigeria Governors Forum, stated that they also agreed that regional integration as a sustainable economic development paradigm presents the Western Region, and indeed the whole of Nigeria, a pathway into economic prosperity for all.
According to him, they unanimously agreed that their next meeting should be hosted by Ambode.
Among others in attendance at the meeting are Amosun’s deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, the Acting Director-General of DAWN Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, the Group Managing Director, Odua Investment Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji, President, Koinonia Global Services, Mr. Femi Boyede, Mr. O.A Odugbemi and some very high level officials from the six states.
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