Copyright tribuneonlineng
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South West geopolitical zone has called on governors and other leaders in the region to move from discussion to action by ensuring that all developmental ideas and roadmaps generated at the recent regional summit are carefully implemented for the benefit of all six states in the zone. The two-day South West Stakeholders’ Dialogue/Summit, held last week in Akure, Ondo State, was organised by the non-governmental organisation, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), in collaboration with the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and the governments of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states. Participants included governors, lawmakers, federal government appointees, traditional rulers, former political office holders, captains of industry, interest groups and other stakeholders from the zone. In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayobami Afolabi, the APC praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts, which have resulted in all six geopolitical zones of the country having development commissions designed to facilitate rapid growth and development across their regions. “The quality of representation and deliberations at the recently concluded Akure Summit shows that the people of the South West are ready to revive the zeal, courage, and visionary leadership with which the affairs of the defunct Western Region were managed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other legendary figures, who mobilized limited resources to generate innovative ideas and actions that placed the region at the forefront of good governance,” the statement said. Afolabi noted that the concept of geopolitical zone development commissions represents a subtle response to the popular demand for true federalism, providing each zone with a platform for partnership, collectivism and unity of purpose. He commended the organisers of the Akure summit for ensuring a dialogue free of politics or sentiment, with participation from all divides. “At the end of the dialogue, the world saw that the sons and daughters of Yorubaland are mindful of the shared values, opportunities and prospects that could transform their region into an Eldorado. “The key challenge now is for individuals, groups and authorities to act swiftly and ensure that the gains of the summit are translated into unprecedented holistic development for the South West geopolitical zone,” Afolabi added.
