Southwest Will Remain The Pacesetter In Nigeria Says Aiyedatiwa
Wednesday April 26, 2023
Ondo State Acting Governor and Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared open the second edition of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, insisting that Southwest region of Nigeria would continued to remain the pacesetter in terms of development in the country.
The impactful conference with theme: “Powering Southwest for Productivity Through Increased Investment in Infrastructures” with special focus on Power and Rail Transport sectors, was held at, De Javu Hotel and Suites, Alagbaka, Akure on Wednesday.
With the Acting Governor at the event are, Commissioner of Finance, Hon Wale Akinterinwa, Commissioner for Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources, Engr Rasaq Obe, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yeye Oba Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Hon Akinwunmi Sowore, Special Adviser to Governor on Transport, Barrister Tobi Ogunleye, Director General, PPIMU, Engr Babajide Akeredolu, Deputy Chief of Staff, office of Acting Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa and others.
The Acting Governor commended the DAWN Commission in bringing the Southwest States together to work and plan in concert for the sustainable development of the region.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ondo State, I will like to appreciate DAWN Commission for it’s efforts in getting the States to work together in designing common policies for the Southwest region” , he said.
“We cannot but acknowledge your strong input to the formation of the Western Security Network…, the peace and security which we now enjoy across the Southwest region as a result of Amotekun is surely a testament of the importance of your commission” .
Aiyedatiwa maintained that integration of socioeconomic situation in Southwest is very critical because of the common heritage.
He said, the two focus point of the conference; Energy and Rail Transportation would drive development in the region.
“Energy and Rail Transportation: these two will form the bedrock of our near future as they will support the industrialization drive of the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration here in Ondo State and that of his colleagues in other five States of the Southwest region” , declared Aiyedatiwa.
It has become imperative for Southwest States to work together, he declared .
The Director General of DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye expressed gratitude to Ondo State Governor for the support towards DAWN Commission and the Regional Integration Agenda.
He called for the need to fast track development in the region.
“Game changing ideas must come out of this conference and development must happen in this region at faster pace” , he insisted.
Earlier, the CEO of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), the host of the event, Mr Gbenga Badejo explained that, the conference has the unique opportunity to turn around Western Nigeria to do better and make it the darling of Africa.
He said integration of socioeconomic situation in Southwest is very critical because the region needed to remain the pacesetter for a better Nigeria.
There were goodwill messages from government representatives across the region.
Others in attendance are, Public Service Officials across the States in the region, Private sector Actors, Regulators and Investors.