S/West governors declare zero tolerance to security threat

GOVERNORS in the South West States, on Monday, declared zero tolerance to governance, safety of lives, property and prosperity of the people of the region.

The theme of the meeting is “Self Determination for Western Nigeria”.

They unanimously agreed that only regional integration would promote sustainable economic development in the region and pathway to economic prospect for the country as a whole.

This was contained in a communique read by the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at the end of its quarterly meeting hosted by the Ogun State Government in Abeokuta, the State capital, that a Joint Task Force and Joint Action would be vigorously pursued to achieve it.

The governors’ worried by the spate of crimes, especially the activities of the herdsmen and kidnappers in the States noted that effective collaboration among the states would reduce criminal activities in the region.

The South West Governors Forum meeting under the umbrella of the Development Agenda for South Western Nigeria (DAWN), held at the MITROS Hall/ Gateway Annex, Ibara, had all the governors in attendance, for the very first time since the idea was initiated. The meeting also witnessed the introduction of the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, as the latest entrant to the Forum.

They equally agreed that political affiliations, religion and artificial boundary of States would not be a barrier to regional development while all States are encouraged to improve on bilateral and multilateral cooperation to achieve this.

The Forum proposed a regional agriculture summit to improve on food security of the region while approval was given for the establishment of Western Nigeria Export Development Initiative to drive the export potentials of the region.

The governors tasked DAWN Commission to develop a 25 year-old Western Nigeria Development Master Plan and also a revenue optimization strategy for constituents’ states of the region.

Others areas touched by the governors include the need to set up a Committee for the codification of values and ethos as an instrument of Yoruba uniqueness for unity of purpose.

Welcoming his colleagues, the host governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, noted that the Forum had provided the platform for them to share ideas that would further strengthen the resolve to develop their people, respective states and the region as a whole.

Amosun recalled that the region under the leadership of the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as the first Premier of the Western Region, recorded so many laudable achievements that made it a reference point for other regions in the country.

However, Amosun submitted that the creation of States from the old Western Region, had created artificial boundaries between the people which according to him had made them to see themselves as people of a particular state rather than a sub-unit of the Yoruba people.

The governor said further that this development had hindered the socio-economic growth of the region, saying “to further worsen the situation, some of our people are also making themselves available as instruments of division because of their selfish political gains.

“Instead of building bridges, some of our people are digging trenches for protection against their own brothers and sisters.”

The governor posited that the time has come for them to strategies on how to develop the natural resources of the region to boost the prosperity of the people and socio-economic development of the region.

In their remarks, the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, described the region as a very formidable one while his counterpart from the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, that quite a lot could be achieved if they collectively identify the strength and explore it for the benefit of the people.

The governor of Lagos and Ekiti States, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and Ayodele Fayose jointly called for cooperation and collaboration of all the governors to make success of the region, while Akeredolu said the Forum transient political interest.