Southwestern governors agree to launch 25-year regional development plan to boost prosperity

GOVERNORS of the six states that make up the southwestern geo-political zone have resolved to strengthen regional integration with a 25-year development plan as a pathway to the prosperity and economic diversification.

Yesterday, the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital under the auspices of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (Dawn) commission. Following the meeting, they agreed to work together to explore the different areas of comparative advantage of each constituent state and pool resources together for the prosperity of the people.

In addition, the governors also resolved to develop a 25-year development master plan for the transformation of the entire region. They agreed to eliminate all artificial barriers that mitigate against co-operation, synergy and benefits of economies of scale within the region.

Furthermore, the governors agreed to pay less attention to their political and religious affiliations and make the aggregate welfare of the Yoruba people their priorities. They also resolved that their meetings would henceforth be known and called the Western Nigeria Governors’ Forum and declared the region a zero tolerance area for crime.

They agreed to develop a revenue optimisation strategy for constituent states of the region, noting that the prosperity of any of the states would be negated if the other states were poor. At the meeting, the governors also agreed to set up a committee to codify the values and ethics of the Yoruba people as part of efforts to preserve the uniqueness of the region.

Host governor Ibikunle Amosun, noted that the forum serves as a platform to cross-fertilise ideas for the good of the region. He called on the leaders to take advantage of the geographical location, climatic condition and the large land mass of the region to promote agriculture for food security.

Governor Amosun also called for concerted efforts of the constituent states of the southwest region against crimes that threaten the peace of the area, including cultism, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism. No details were given, however, in how crime would be combated or what measures were to be introduced.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos said the attendance of all the governors of the region at the meeting was a clear manifestation of commitment to the economic and political integration of the region. He particularly noted that the success of the integration initiative would not only be of immense benefit to the region but would go a long way to actualise the growth and development of the country.

“On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I bring you good felicitation in Ogun State, my closest neighbour among the south-western states. I also believe strongly that what we are doing today is a manifestation of the desire of the six governors to actualise the integration we have been talking about.

“I believe strongly that it is also imperative that the economic integration and political integration of our region is significant to the growth and development of Nigeria and we are happy to be in Ogun State," Governor Ambode added. Lagos State is scheduled to host the next meeting of the forum.