• Sanwo-Olu emerges Chairman of S’West Governors’ Forum
• Forum condemns call for Yoruba nation, adopts anthem for region
The governors of the South-West geo-political zone have said that they are still awaiting the outcome of negotiations between the Federal Government and organised Labour on minimum wage, even as they agreed on the need to forge security cooperation to enhance economic development and free movement within the region.
The governors used the platform to renew their call for creation of State Police to further strengthen safety in the region.
The governors, on the platform of the South-West Governors’ Forum, made the stand after a closed-door meeting in Lagos, yesterday.
On lingering disagreement on Minimum Wage, the Forum said it was in support of the efforts of the Federal Government, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Organised Private Sector to resolve the wage dispute, while urging continued engagement with the Labour Union.
The governors said they believed the outcome of the negotiations for better wages would reflect true fiscal federalism.
The Forum hailed the Federal Government’s efforts on exploration policies on mineral resources but called for collaboration with states in the process to grant leases to investors.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has emerged as Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, following the vacancy occasioned by the death of the former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, who chaired the regional caucus.
He was unanimously nominated by his colleagues.
Sanwo-Olu, while briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, said the Forum deliberated on several matters, noting that the governors also paid last respect to the late governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as well congratulated the new governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Sanwo-Olu said the Forum commended the Federal Government on the flag-off of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other initiatives, calling for the rehabilitation of federal roads across the South-West states.
Besides, he said the Forum, while adopting an anthem, “Iṣẹ̀ wà fùń Ilẹ wá,” for the South-West states, condemned the group agitating for a Yoruba nation.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) were in attendance.
