“Regional Integration best way forward for S/West region, Yoruba race” – S/West Governors

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Governors from the six South West states on Monday declared that “regional integration is the best way forward for the region, for the people and for the Yoruba race”
The governors made this known at the end of the ‘ SouthWest Governors Economic Forum’, held at the Executive Chambers, Governors Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking through the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the governors agreed to hence, use their collaborations to improve on the infrastructure, security, commerce and others areas in the interest of the region.
To make these a reality, Governor Fayose hinted that the governors also agreed into playing politics of development as well as go beyond their political differences and put the people of the region and the region itself first in all things.
“This meeting was called to discuss several issues of common concern to the region in view of the challenging economic circumstances confronting the nation and the people,” he said.
Governor Fayose noted that the meeting was called to discuss several issues of common concern to the region in view of the challenging economic circumstances confronting the nation and its constituent parts.
Governor Fayose said: “We, the governors have agreed on a number of things in the interest of our people and the south west region as a whole.
We have agreed to start playing politics of development by going beyond our political differences and putting the people of the region and the region first in all things.
Speaking also, Governor Akinwumi Ambode said the governors agreed to put the interest of the people and the region first irrespective of the individual political interests of the governors, saying, “we have declared here that irrespective of our political differences, our people must come first”.
“Overall, we must move our people just in the direction of prosperity. The prosperity of the region is in the best interest of the states. It is more about people and not about politics”.
The host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in his welcome remark, disclosed that the presence of the governors of the states in the region is a clear testimony of the importance they have placed on the common challenges and problems confronting the people of the region.
Governor Ajimobi stated that the south west region with all its potentials and resources clearly have no business with underdevelopment, poverty and low quality of life.
Present at the meeting were Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state who was represented by Dr. Rotimi Adelola, Secretary to the State Government.