Economic devt: Sen Farukanmi urges partnership between Lagos, Ondo

SECOND Republic Senator Olorunnimbe Farukanmi has urged both Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode and Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu to work in partnership in bringing about economic development to Ondo, saying the call became imperative due to similarities both shared being riverine states.

Farukanmi made the call on Wednesday in a signed statement made available to the Tribune Online, just as he lauded Governor Ambode for what he described as his significant role in re-invigorating the economic re-integration of the South-West geo political zone.

The elder statesman express pleasure with the recent decision by the governor to make Lagos a vibrant member of the Oodua Group of Companies by pledging to invest billions of naira to acquire vast acres of land in the hinterland states of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun for modern farming in order to ensure food security in Yoruba land.

According to Senator Farukanmi, this laudable move will no doubt through industrialization create jobs and spread prosperity in the zone as it was when the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, pioneered the agricultural revolution of the then Western Region, declaring that Ambode had become a model of what good governance was all about, just like in the days of Awolowo.

His words: “He is a pride not only to Lagos, but the entire Yoruba land, with what he has achieved in two years. With his role in the economic integration, the Yoruba land is on its way to full economic independence.”

Farukanmi, while also acknowledging the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s foresight in discovering Ambode, who he said had turned out to be a revelation in the last two years, by building on the solid foundation he (Tinubu) laid, also commended Ambode’s vision on the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

According to the senator, the CLI when fully implemented will turn waste to wealth as being done across the world, calling on the entire Yorubas to cooperate and support Governor Ambode on the laudable plan for the region.