Southwest governors to collaborate on security, agriculture

… adopt uniform educational curriculum

 

 

 Governors of the Southwest on Monday resolved to collaborate to tackle security challenges and foster economic growth of the region through agro value chain.

The resolution was passed at the end of the meeting of Southwest Governors’ Forum hosted by Governor Ayo Fayose in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti. The forum also agreed to adopt a uniform educational curriculum to boost educational system in the region.

In attendance at the meeting were governors of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States: Akinwunmi Ambode, Abiola Ajimobi, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Olusegun Mimiko and Ayodele Fayose respectively, while Governor Ibikule Amosun of Ogun, was represented by Yetunde Onanuga, his deputy.

Fayose, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting, said the governors resolved that all commissioners of police and intelligence institutions in the region will henceforth meet regularly to compare notes and work together to manage in a concerted way the aerial, land and waterway security architecture of the region with state governments supporting with the critical resources.

He said the governors also approved the report of the workshop on security, law and order in the Southwest hosted by Lagos State.

According to him, the forum also approved the constitution of a Regional Technical Working Group on integrated infrastructural development with regards to multi-modal transportation system such as highways, rail, water and air, as well as integration on energy and power, digital and telecoms and leisure and entertainment.

The forum further agreed that Odua Investment Group should serve as a special purpose vehicle to drive the regional economic integration mission, while the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission would be supported to achieve the objectives of its establishment.

“It was agreed that a committee should be set up on Federal Government allocations in agriculture to be accessed for regional benefit. An expanded committee to be set up to make consultations give consideration and set objectives on the regional direction with regards to the federal budget on its implementation especially on agriculture with emphasis on irrigation and storage,” Fayose said.

Earlier, Fayose urged his colleagues in the region to rise above partisan politics and work for the unity and economic growth of the region. He said it was time for leaders of the region to take affirmative action and speak with one voice on issues affecting the Yoruba nation.