- Lagos Governor, Sanwo-Olu, becomes Forum’s Chairman
- Economic integration, security, food production top priorities
Regional economic integration, food production, and security emerged as the main priorities at the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting held in Lagos on Monday. During the closed-door session in Alausa, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was unanimously elected as the new chairman of the Forum, succeeding the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
The meeting, attended by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), lasted for four hours. The governors paid tribute to Akeredolu, who passed away last December, before delving into regional security and economic cooperation discussions.
The Forum emphasised the need for state police to bolster safety and security in the South-West, which has been relatively peaceful compared to other parts of the country. The governors called for enhanced collaboration between security agencies and the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as the Amotekun Corps, to strengthen regional security.
On economic matters, the Forum commended the House of Representatives and the South-West caucus in the National Assembly for progressing the South-West Development Commission Bill. They urged the upper chamber of the federal parliament to expedite its passage. The governors also directed their Commissioners for Agriculture to develop a comprehensive agricultural template, leveraging each state’s comparative advantage to boost food production.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his role as the new chairman, read the 11-point resolution from the meeting’s communiqué. The resolutions included commendations for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the proposed Lagos-Sokoto road while urging rehabilitation of other regional federal infrastructure.
The Forum voiced support for federal efforts to resolve the minimum wage dispute and emphasised the importance of fiscal federalism. They also welcomed federal policies on mineral resource exploration but called for greater state collaboration in granting leases to investors.
Furthermore, the governors adopted “Ise wa fun ile wa,” a song by the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere, as a common anthem for the six states. They condemned those agitating for a Yoruba nation, reaffirming the region’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
Isé wa fún Ilè wa,
Fún Ilè ìbí wa,
K’á gbega, k’á gbega,
k’a gbega fun aiyé rí.Ìgbàgbó wa ni wípé,
Ba se b’erú la b’omo
K’a sisé, k’a sise
K’a sisé k’a jolà.
Ìsòkan àti òmìnira,
Ni keja ká mã lepa,
‘Tèsíwájú òpò ire
Àti ohun tí ó dára.Omo Óoduà dìde,
Lyrics of the South-West anthem
Bósí ipò ètó re,
Ìwo ni ìmólè
Gbogbo Adúláwò.
The Forum decided to strengthen the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, urging it to focus on economic integration, cooperation, and investment promotion. Each state will appoint a focal person to liaise with the Commission for operational efficiency.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership marks a new chapter for the South-West Governors’ Forum, with renewed focus on economic growth, security, and regional cooperation.
