• We must transcend party politics for regional devt, says Fasoranti
• It’s not a talk-shop summit, says DAWN Commission
Governors from the six South-West states and traditional rulers, as well as political leaders, yesterday, converged on Akure, the capital of Ondo State, charting a new course for the region anchored on pan-Yoruba solidarity, welfarism, and collaborative development.
They spoke during the South-West stakeholders’ dialogue, a regional citizen-government interactive town hall session organised by the Afenifere in partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission.
Convener of the summit, Reuben Fasoranti, also the leader of Afenifere, who was represented by Senator Femi Okunronmu, stressed that the Yoruba nation is only as strong as its unity.
Fasoranti said that party politics must never again destroy Yoruba’s unity, calling for a conscious return to the region’s welfarist philosophy.
According to the host governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, the gathering is stating that the Federal Government’s economic reforms have started yielding the desired dividends.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the economy had been substantially stabilised, revealing that improved revenue allocations to states have enabled sub-national governments to embark on more developmental projects.
On his part, Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum/Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is also the co-host, reminisced on how the region was the country’s economic and intellectual cradle.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said that the dialogue was a platform to bridge the gap between citizens and government, saying that the engagement would ensure inclusive governance in strengthening the region.
Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended President Bola Tinubu for restoring national confidence and placing the country on a trajectory of sustainable goals.
On his part, former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande, who commended the ongoing reforms, stressed that they appeared to be deliberate for long-term prosperity.
He lauded Tinubu’s approval of regional development, describing it as “a quiet restructuring of the polity.”
However, a keynote address delivered by Femi Awoyemi provided a detailed analysis on strengthening the region’s economic prospects, saying that the region must leverage its collective strength, foster deeper integration, and drive development that directly benefits the people, irrespective of political party lines.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Seye Oyeleye, dismissed insinuations that the summit was another “talk shop” that might not yield tangible results.
Oyeleye, while speaking with The Guardian, said that there was a cogent purpose behind the summit, stressing that one of its cardinal objectives is to ensure the region returns to its golden era of development witnessed during the First Republic.
He said there is no reason the Yoruba nation should continue to wallow in crisis when it possesses abundant human and natural resources to drive progress.
