South West stakeholders’ move to re-enact region’s glory

Rising from a citizen-government engagement summit in Akure, the Ondo State capital, South-West governors, ministers, elders and leaders of thought from the region commit to reenacting the era of the Western Region, when it served a model for governance and accountability. KUNLE ODEREMI captures the conclusions of the summit vis-a-vis the individual submissions of the major gladiators in relations to similar gatherings in the past.

The International Culture and Events Centre, widely called The Dome, located in the heart of Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, brimmed with distinguished dignitaries from the political class, technocrats, elder statesmen and leaders of thought from October 29 and 30. One main denominator among the personalities is that their conviction that the Yoruba land had a unique political history dating back to the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Premier of the defunct Western Region.

That the region, now split into eight states: Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Delta, broke the ice in core human, physical and infrastructural developmental models, even before a number of advanced economies and countries in the world. Thus, the august assembly was convened for those currently with the mandate to occupy political offices at the national and state levels to render the account of their stewardship.

Themed Citizen-Government Engagement Summit, the South-West stakeholders’ dialogue facilitated by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, literally put on the spot governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, heads of key federal departments, agencies and parastatals on their statutory mandates, on how they impacted the South-West.

The lead presenters included the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun; Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, while Yoruba elders, including Chief Rueben Fasoranti, who was represented by Senator Femi Okurounmu; and former Osun State governor, Chief Bisi Akande, led other distinguished stakeholders to the event. Representatives of the different religious organisations and creeds, the organised private sector, artisans, market men and women attended.

While three of the governors from the region sent their deputies, governors of Lagos and the host, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, fully engaged the audience with the efforts of their administration to raise the bar of good governance, accountability and transparency in their respective domains.

The citizen-government engagement came amid rising concern among some stakeholders in the South-West over the yawning gap with their representatives at the federal level over governance issues. So, they were to speak to the impact of federal government reforms, policies, and projects in the region and areas that need reforms for the purpose of optimal impact and success.

Chief Bisi Akande

The keynote address of the former Osun governor centred on restructuring for maximum opportunities, setting the tone for the dialogue, which he said was beyond just another conference, but a renewal of the Yoruba tradition of communal existence, of reasoning together before acting.

He also remarked that it is a reminder that democracy deepens when leaders and citizens sit to talk honestly about progress, so they can all chart the way forward. He believed that the country is in an era of responsibility, where every naira must count, every policy must produce results, and every reform must serve the people.

He observed that in a quieter form, more profound restructuring is already happening through regional empowerment and institutional decentralisation, with the establishment of regional development commissions. He said it is an opportunity and responsibility for the South-West to once again lead by example, demonstrating how local collaboration, innovative thinking, and strategic implementation can drive sustainable development — especially now in these times of diversification under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our newly established Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) must rise beyond paperwork and policy. It must become a movement of transformation. Let it be the battering ram against unemployment, insecurity, and disunity. It must coordinate our comparative advantages in agriculture, trade, education, innovation, and technology,” he added.

A staunch advocate of restructuring, the former governor said the South-West must use the ongoing holistic reforms of the Tinubu administration to reenact the pioneering role of the Yoruba in the First Republic.

According to him, the pedigree and calibre of the audience at the summit showed that the feat is achievable. He said:

“Let it build on our proud history — the same heritage that gave Nigeria its first TV station, its first skyscraper, and its first university. The SWDC should be the model that others emulate — the symbol of how a united region can drive national renewal. When I look around this hall, I see hope — the kind of hope that built Ibadan’s Liberty Stadium, Lagos’s Eko Atlantic, and the cocoa pyramids of Ondo and Ekiti. I see a people with the discipline of the past and the determination for the future.”

This, he said, is notwithstanding the fact that ongoing reforms are demanding, as they test patience and stretch resilience. “Let us make the Southwest a model for others — a region where government works, youth thrive, and communities flourish. Let the South-West rise — strong in unity, rich in ideas, and bold in innovation. Let us lead again, as we have always done, and light the path for others to follow,” Akande admonished.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his capacity as the chairman of the South-West Governors Forum, said the birth of the South-West Development Commission should be embraced as a catalyst for the holistic transformation of the region reminiscent of the days of Chief Awolowo as the premier of the Western Region.

The governor said that President Tinubu’s leadership should teach all and sundry that boldness and consistency are the twin engines of national renewal.

His words: “The establishment of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) by President Tinubu, with the backing of the National Assembly, is another bold affirmation of our collective destiny. It provides us with an institutional platform to plan, integrate, and deliver the kind of regional transformation that defined the old Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“Let us rally around this new Commission, not in rhetoric but in action. As the great sage reminded us, ‘It is not life that matters, but the courage you bring into it.’ Now is the time to summon that courage once again — to reclaim our heritage of innovation, education, and good governance. The people of the South-West are yearning for peace, prosperity, and progress that is tangible.

President Tinubu’s reforms have opened doors that were long shut; it is now up to us to walk through them with purpose. We must deepen collaboration — across states, across sectors, and across communities. Diversity has always been our strength; harmony has always been our advantage. Let us deploy these assets toward a shared regional agenda that delivers inclusive growth for every citizen.”

However, he called for synergy and collaboration among all the states making up the South-West in the quest to take it to the next pedestal. He added:

“We must institutionalise peer learning among our state governments — sharing insights, replicating success stories, and jointly pursuing regional infrastructure that binds us together rather than keeping us apart.”

The Lagos governor rounded off his paper with a message to all stakeholders in Yoruba land: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the South-West has always been a land of firsts — in education, in broadcasting, in urban planning, and in governance. The question before us today is simple: Can we, once again, light the path for Nigeria’s rebirth? I say yes, we can, because the spirit of innovation and unity that defined our past still lives in us. Let us not waste this season of extraordinary opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu emphasized.

He borrowed one of the quotes from the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, to ensure his message resonated with his audience: “Vision without action is merely a dream; action without vision is merely passing time; but vision with action can change the world.”

Dapo Abiodun

The chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and governor of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the dialogue as a bridge between government and citizens that is bound to bolster governance across the region.

He was delighted that President Tinubu’s reforms were restoring national confidence and setting Nigeria on a path of sustainable growth. The governor emphasized that the South-West must remain the veritable model of purposeful leadership built on accountability, inclusion, and visionary governance.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The host of the summit, Governor Aiyedatiwa, saw the gathering as an opportunity for stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments to deepen democracy and drive sustainable development.

Aiyedatiwa noted that democracy thrives on continuous engagement between leaders and citizens, as it is essential to build trust and sustain national growth. “Our democracy is still growing, but dialogue must move beyond talk to actions that strengthen institutions and rebuild public trust,” Aiyedatiwa said.

He advocated true federalism through devolution of powers and renewal of governance structures to meet Nigeria’s developmental aspirations, stressing that dialogue should translate into concrete actions that strengthen institutions, rebuild trust, and promote inclusive governance.

“It takes courageous, visionary, and transformative leadership in the mould of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to take such bold decisions. Nigerians deserve more of his exemplary leadership till the foreseeable future,” Aiyedatiwa added.

Ademola Adeleke

He was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, at the summit. He said Osun occupies a unique position as the ancestral home of the Head of the Federal Government. He called for sustenance of the rule of law.

“Let us hold on to that powerful word, unity. If political interference continues unchecked and partisan interests are allowed to overshadow governance, peace and development will remain elusive. We must work together as one region, one people and one voice to secure the future of our democracy,” the governor asserted.

Adebayo Adelabu

Adelabu said that due to lack of support by the sector for industries, Nigerians turned to foreign products. The minister decried the over-centralisation of power supply in the past in a country of 36 states and 774 local governments.

He said the Tinubu administration recognised that supply cannot be centrally handled, adding that government cannot achieve results without decentralisation and liberalisation. He recalled that the Electricity Bill was the first to be signed into law by the president on assumption of office, pointing out that it opened opportunities for private sector participation.

Adelabu said: “The vibrancy we have in power supply today has not been like that,” stressing that $4 billion investment has been attracted in the sector. The minister said the market reforms have led government to the fact that the subsidy in the sector cannot be sustained. He said it is only proper that the ‘Cost Reflective Tariff’ is paid by customers who enjoy regular supply.

Adegboyega Oyetola

The Minister of Blue Economy and former Osun governor applauded the creation of the ministry, which has affirmed the status of Nigeria as a maritime country. He said the Apapa and Tin Can ports had been modernised while the Apapa gridlock is also over.

The minister said over N1.39 trillion has been generated, assuring that it can only increase. He suggested a capacity building programme for youths so that they can take careers in ports. Oyetola urged state governments to collaborate with the ministry to phase out rickety boats on waterways. He said the health sector occupies a central position in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Dele Alake

For the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, his scorecard anchored on what he said were the most extensive reforms in its history, with the Southwest region contributing the highest share of ₦7.2 billion out of the ₦38 billion generated in 2024.

He said the ministry launched the MySatellite Monitoring Project, a ₦2.5 billion initiative approved by the Federal Executive Council to track mineral licences, coordinate mining activities nationwide, and detect unlicensed operations in real time.

The reforms, he explained, have restored investors’ confidence, encouraged the return of legitimate operators, and boosted government earnings. “Mining revenue, which stood at ₦8.4 billion in 2022, rose to ₦14 billion in 2023 and now ₦38 billion in 2024. The Southwest alone contributed ₦7.2 billion, the highest regional share.”

Another area he listed as a major leap is the establishment of the Mining Marshals, a 2,000-strong special unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), created in collaboration with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Alake said the unit recovered 19 mining sites from illegal operators, arrested over 300 offenders, and secured more than 20 convictions in the last 18 months. “The system has captured all mineral licences and coordinates across the country and will monitor the movement of people, vehicles and mineral consignments in real time to detect unlicensed activity and report mineral transfers to the federal revenue agencies,” he said.

Wale Edun

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy was a lead presenter. He delved extensively into the general economic, fiscal and monetary reforms of the Tinubu administration, with his contributions, analysis and projections laced with statistics and data. These issues included the removal of subsidy on petrol, floating of the national currency (naira), and other fundamental reforms that have shaped the national economy with ripple effects on the citizenry.

Reuben Fasoranti

Elder statesman Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whose speech was delivered by Senator Okurounmu, did not mince words on the state of affairs in Yoruba land today.

He was delighted by the high quality of persons that turned out for the summit, saying: “I greet you in the spirit of our progenitor Oduduwa, in the wisdom of our Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and in the hope of generations yet unborn.”

He said unity constitutes the blueprint for our survival and prosperity. He said he was bothered that partisan politics has divided and weakened Yoruba solidarity.

“I have seen brothers refuse to greet each other because one wears the badge of one party and another serves under a different banner. I have witnessed development projects stalled, not because they lacked merit, but because they were initiated by the ‘rival’ political party. I have observed leaders who should be collaborating for the good of our people locked in needless combat over party supremacy. This must end. Today! Here and now,” he admonished.

Development, according to the 99-year-old leader, has no party, while progress knows no partisan affiliation. “The welfare of our people is not a matter for political point-scoring. The welfare of our people must be and remains the fulcrum and central theme of our political calculations,” he added.