Southwest Governors Unveil 11 Key Resolutions After Crucial Lagos Meeting

The six governors of the Southwest region convened in Lagos State on Thursday, February 13, to deliberate on pressing issues affecting the region and strategize on the way forward.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As earlier reported by Naija News, the South-West Governors’ Forum meeting was hosted by its Chairman and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with the attendance of Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

Following the closed-door discussions, Governor Sanwo-Olu presented an 11-point communiqué summarizing the key resolutions reached by the forum.

Among the major highlights, the forum commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s economic reforms, expressed support for the student loan scheme, strongly condemned terrorist activities, advocated for the establishment of a regional security outfit, and resolved to create a joint monitoring team to tackle food inflation across the Southwest.

Key Resolutions from the Meeting:

Commendation for President Tinubu’s Economic Policies

The forum praised President Bola Tinubu for the economic stability and progress achieved nationwide, particularly in ensuring the continuous availability of petroleum products and stabilizing the exchange rate. It urged citizens to support the administration’s efforts to enhance economic growth and national well-being.

Support for Student Loan Scheme

The governors applauded the Federal Government for successfully implementing the Student Loan Scheme under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has provided financial assistance to students in the region. They encouraged all eligible students to take full advantage of this initiative for higher education and vocational training.

Congratulatory Message to Ondo State Governor

The forum congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory in the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election held on November 16, 2024.

Regional Peace and Security Efforts

The governors commended the efforts to maintain peace and security in the region, especially during the festive period. They called for continued collaboration among Southwest states to sustain peaceful coexistence.

Condemnation of ISWAP and Terrorist Activities

Expressing concern over the security threat posed by ISWAP in parts of the Southwest, the forum strongly condemned such activities and emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between security agencies and local security outfits to counter the threats effectively.

Joint Security Surveillance Initiative

The governors agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee security across the region. They resolved to deploy advanced technology, including aerial surveillance systems, and directed Special Advisers on Security to enhance intelligence gathering and cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

Southwest Development Commission Headquarters

The forum commended the Federal Government and the Senate for establishing the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) and agreed to locate its headquarters at Cocoa House in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Odu’a Investment Company’s Strategic Projects

The governors acknowledged the efforts of Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. in managing regional assets efficiently over the last five years. They commended the redevelopment of Premier Hotel in Ibadan and the planned renovation of Lagos Airport Hotel, as well as other proposed investments aimed at driving sustainable economic growth.

Food Security and Inflation Control Measures

Recognizing the urgent need to address food security, the forum urged states to collaborate on measures to control food inflation.

To tackle rising food prices, the governors condemned the activities of middlemen inflating commodity prices and agreed to establish a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and Aggregation Centres/Food Hubs to regulate prices and improve supply chain efficiency.

Commendation for DAWN Commission

The forum lauded the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission for its improved performance over the past year and encouraged continued collaboration with Southwest Commissioners for Agriculture to drive industrialization and infrastructural development in the region.

These resolutions mark a renewed commitment by the Southwest Governors’ Forum to economic growth, regional security, and improved governance across the six states.