South-West Governors Meets Today On Economy

By Dipo Olowookere

The six Governors from the South-West geo-political zone of Nigeria will converge in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on Monday, to discuss ways of fostering integration among them.

According to what we gathered, the Governors would be brainstorming on how to promote issues of common concern and interest.

The meeting, according to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Oyo State on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, was called at the instance of the host, Mr Abiola Ajimobi.

Mr Layinka said on Sunday that several issues of common concern to the region in view of the challenging economic circumstances confronting the nation and its constituent parts will form the major agenda at the meeting.

“These issues include security of lives and properties of all citizens and our peoples; the economic development of the states by leveraging on common resources and the competitive advantages of the region.

“Other issues to be discussed will include the identification and development of critical infrastructure, especially road networks and the need for a regional rail network for transportation of goods and services within the region,” Mr Layinka said in a statement.

Those expected at the meeting are Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Mr Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Mr Segun Mimiko of Ondo State; Mr Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State; and Mr Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

The statement added that the conversation would be facilitated by the Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research, Prof Dosu Adeyeye; Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), Mr Dipo Famakinwa; as well as the Group Managing Director of O’dua Investments, Mr Adewale Raji.