Southwest Governors agrees on regional economic cooperation

Governors from the six South West states of Nigeria have agreed to embark on regional economic integration for unity and development of the region.

At a meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the governors agreed to forge the unity of purpose irrespective of their political affiliation.

The governors are Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, Chief Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun.

In a communique read out to newsmen by Governor Fayose at the end of the three hour meeting, the forum unanimously agreed that beyond their political differences “the people must come first, the Region must come first and we must have unity of purpose and economic base that we will all be proud of.”

The governors discussed how to boost the infrastructure in the region and how the states can collaborate to improve the economy of the region.

Their aim is the economic integration of the region from Ondo State in the northern part to Lagos State in the South.

The states will have to lift each other up, working from their areas of strength. This has nothing to do with politics but the economic interest of the people of the region.

The states historically had a common economic interest and had a conglomerate, `Oodua Groups’’.

The conglomerate established plenty of companies, including the defunct National Bank of Nigeria.

Over the years, the unity of purpose dipped, but the Monday’s meeting is a tool aimed at rekindling the interest of the region.

Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the outgoing Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

The duo met briefly on Friday when the President visited Akure, Ondo State capital, for the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally.
Monday’s meeting lasted about 30 minutes.
The governor declined to speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

The Ondo State governorship election takes place on November 26.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently enmeshed in crisis with several candidates including billionaire businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim and one Eyitayo Jegede, laying claim to the party ticket for the election.