Governors in the Southwest geo-political zone have initiated measures to boost food production and address food security. They directed commissioners of agriculture in their states to collaborate on a working template to leverage each state’s comparative advantage in food production.
During a meeting hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governors discussed various regional issues and commended the Federal Government for initiating the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Badagry to Sokoto Highway. They urged President Bola Tinubu to rehabilitate other decayed federal roads in the region, such as Lagos-Sango-Ota to Abeokuta, Ibadan to Ilesa expressway, Akure to Ado-Ekiti Highway, and Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso to Ilorin Highway.
All six governors, including Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), attended the meeting. Sanwo-Olu was elected as the new chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, succeeding the late Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The governors reaffirmed their support for the Regional Security Network, Amotekun, and condemned the Yoruba Nation agitation. They also endorsed state police and expressed satisfaction with the relative peace in the region. Additionally, they urged the Senate to pass the Southwest Development Commission Bill.
Sanwo-Olu outlined the meeting’s 11-point resolution, which included:
- Adoption of Sanwo-Olu as the Forum's chairman.
- Tribute to the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and congratulations to Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his APC governorship ticket win.
- Adoption of "Ise wa fun ile wa" as the Southwest anthem.
- Support for the Southwest Development Commission Bill.
- Commendation of the Federal Government’s road projects and a call for further road rehabilitation.
- Affirmation of support for state police and the Amotekun Corps.
- Directives for agricultural commissioners to collaborate on food security.
- Support for ongoing minimum wage discussions.
- Encouragement of collaboration on mineral resource exploitation.
- Condemnation of the Yoruba Nation agitation.
- Strengthening of the DAWN Commission for economic integration and cooperation.
