The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amosun

  • Militants back in Ogun riverine communities – Amosun

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday raised the alarm that militants have returned to the state’s   riverine communities and terrorising people.

    Amosun said more security personnel should be deployed to the state, coupled with proactive steps to check the violent activities of the returnee militants and other criminals in riverine areas.

    The governor made this known at his Oke – Mosan Governor’s Office when he received the Deputy Inspector General of Police overseeing the South West region, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, who visited him.

    He, however, expressed the confidence that the combined efforts of the police and other security agencies would curb the militants and their activities.

    “The state will not be a comfort zone for criminals. Criminals will always want to come, but we will not take our eyes off them,” he said.

    He pledged that the state government would make available, two additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and vans to ease the operations of the security personnel.

     

  • Amosun urges love, selfless service at Easter

    Amosun urges love, selfless service at Easter

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues and values exemplified by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    The Ogun State governor stated this in an Easter message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Adejuwon Soyinka, yesterday.
    While congratulating Christians for the observance of this years’ Easter, Amosun urged all Nigerians, Christians and Muslims alike, to emulate the life of Jesus Christ in rendering selfless service and love to others, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.
    “For us as Nigerians, there is a lot to be learnt from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ whose life exemplified unconditional love for humanity irrespective of ethnic, religious or social divides,” Amosun said.
    He added that, “more than observing Easter with fanfare and celebration, Nigerians need to imbibe the lessons of the season and make good use of it in our daily lives and in our interactions with others.”
    As far as the Ogun State Governor is concerned, Nigeria will be a better place for all “when Nigerians relate with one another with unconditional love and render selfless service to the nation and fellow country men and women.”

  • Amosun installs new monarch for Ihunbo community

    Amosun installs new monarch for Ihunbo community

    Ogun  State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has installed Oba  Joseph Olamide Adesiyan Inakankan as the new Onihunbon  of Ihunbo, in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    While presenting staff of office to the monarch, the governor  commended the people of the town for

    toeing the path of peace all the time , noting that the installation was the second of it’s kind in Ipokia Local Government since his assumption ofoffice.

    Amosun who was represented by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Ministry  of Local Government and Chieftaincy  Affairs, Mr. Dolapo

    Adewunmi  called on the new monarch to bring together all aggrieved contenders so as to work in harmony to ensure a more peaceful reign that would herald more developments and harness the opportunities that abound in the town.

    The new monarch  promised  that he would initiate and promote programmes that would enhance

    the unity and development of the people and community at large.

  • Amosun: Filling a basket with water

    The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, recently signed the bill to upgrade the state-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUTECH), Abeokuta.  Governor Amosun also signed into law the bill to establish the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

    In all sincerity, I am not against the establishment of a University of Science and Technology in Ogun State, like we have in other states in the country.  As the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Suraj Adekunbi puts it: “the House gave the bill accelerated passage because of the priority the government accorded education.” Any serious government, like the Ogun State government, ought to make education one of its leading priorities.

    Yet, what seems to be more disturbing is the manner in which the bill was passed. Apart from the sheer unseriousness displayed by the members of the House, the decision of the governor to establish a state university of technology at this critical stage calls for our general reconsideration.

    First, there is a need to put it straight to the governor that the upgrade is coming at a very wrong time. The problem with education in Nigeria is not just about non-availability of institutions of learning or its insufficiency. We see universities, polytechnics, colleges, institutes and all of that everywhere. Yet we still complain bitterly about a ramshackle educational system in Nigeria. The signal this sends to us is that the establishment of universities and colleges is not the main challenge. Rather, government irresponsibility and disregard for education.

    For a nation to develop and advance there is need for education to get well financed. Sadly, the government here is more focused on constructing mansions where pilfered public funds are kept. Our government takes education less seriously. Even with the number of schools have we in this clime, we have never been ranked among the first 100 universities in the world – we have a long way to go. The reason behind this is that schools are not funded and adequate facilities are not provided.

    Our leaders are like contractors that had laid a single foundation of a proposed large housing estate and had to jump to lay another foundation in another separate place without any hope of completion. Instead of ensuring the complete construction of the first estate, it jumps to lay another three separate foundations. It will never focus on one to ensure its completion. Or is an uncompleted building habitable, in a saner society?  Lack of purpose, to say the least!

    Ogun state is not excluded. Creating more institutions where there are many underdeveloped ones is a symptom of a government that is lost in transit. No matter the amount of “love” the governor is said to have for education, this decision is a bad one. It is bad because it is inappropriate.

    Only in Ogun State, we have over 7 public higher institutions that are by far underdeveloped. There has been NO serious steps taken by our “education loving” governor to improve the sad state of our institutions. And so, we see many of our lecturers embarking on industrial actions every now and then; no fund anywhere.

    On a more serious note, the only time I see the governor parading on our various campuses in Ogun State is when he goes about inaugurating projects he has not embarked upon – he will tell us the “mission to rebuild continues”. Those new buildings and projects you see on Ogun State- owned higher institutions are embarked upon by generous private individuals and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

    The popular Olabisi Onabanjo University, which is the best among all the institutions in the state, is still very far below what is expected of a university. We are still underdeveloped. Same thing with   Tai Solarin University of Education. What about Tai Solarin College of Education? That one is quite below standard. Mapoly has not even attained the height of a standard polytechnic, not to talk of a university.

    We should not even attempt to mention other “semi-polytechnics” in the state; Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, DS Adegbenro Polythecnic, Gateway Polythecnic, Gateway Institute of Petro-gas Institute and all of that are more of advanced secondary schools.  You see, excluding Mapoly, other ‘polytechnics’ in the state ought to be scrapped. They are as good as village secondary schools. As of today, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic main campus is just there for nothing. No classrooms and all of that. They still manage secondary school classes in Ijebu-Igbo.

    Now, it is evident that the governor has picked a very wrong card by not improving existing institutions before establishing new ones. We have failed to acknowledge the fact that it is not just about establishing universities or colleges. What remains sacrosanct is to consider whether we are ready to fund them or not. Institutions not funded are as good as non-existent.

    Establishing a new university and polytechnic whereas there are many underdeveloped ones around, is just another fine means of filling the basket with water. Here in Nigeria, we usually mistake watering baskets for good governance. Take for instance, since the conversion of OOU to a multi-campus institution many years ago, the College of Agricultural Sciences, Ayetoro, just relocated to its Permanent Site December 2016. Prior to now, the college has been sharing classrooms with Ayetoro Comprehensive High School students. I can even predict that the new polytechnic established in Ipokia Local Government will share classrooms with secondary school students before they build their own campus – which will not be built by this administration.

    Let’s take another critical look at the legislators that passed the bill. Just like the way quarrel is not new to our legislative arm of government, accepting executive proposals and bills hook, line and sinker is also no stranger. Look, when legislators throw chairs and get their big heads “maced”, they tend to create an impression in the unsuspecting citizens and constituents that they are ‘fighting’ for their rights and entitlements. But, it is far from the truth. They usually fight because of their very greedy and selfish interests.

    Members of Ogun State House of Assembly that participated in passing the bills aforementioned are anything but serious. The bill for the establishment of the university and polytechnic were passed without any form of debate or related actions. Who does that? In serious Houses, the issues raised in this piece are related issues that ought to be debated.

    For our democracy to grow, we cannot continue to take the business of law making as child’s play. It is a serious business. Bills ought to be debated in the House, no matter the good intention behind them.

  • Amosun, Fayemi for Adefarati’s 10th year remembrance

    Amosun, Fayemi for Adefarati’s 10th year remembrance

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi are among dignitaries expected to grace the 10th year remembrance of former Ondo State governor Adebayo Adefarati.

    The event will start tomorrow and ends on Saturday.

    Adefarati ruled the state from 1999 to 2003 but died on March 29 2007, few weeks to the 2007 presidential election.

    At the time, he was the presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity Committee for the event, Gbenga Omole said the programme will start with an holy communion service at The Chapel of Peace, Adefarati Estate, Akungba Akoko tomorrow at 8am.

    He said on the same day a friendly football match between the football teams of The Federal University of Technology Akure and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo will take place at the Akure Sports Complex by 11am.

    The statement reads “The Deputy Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Agboola Ajayi will be the Special Guest of Honour.

    “On Thursday, there will be a memorial lecture titled: “Justice and Fairness a Panacea to Peace to be delivered by Dr Kayode Fayemi at the International Events Center, the Dome, in Akure by 11am.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is the chief host. The special guest of honour is Amosun and the Chairman of the occasion is Senator Titus Olupitan.

    “The grand finale which is the memorial thanksgiving comes up on Saturday by 11am at The Holy Trinity Anglican Church Akungba Akoko.”

     

  • Give us federal roads, says Amosun

    Give us federal roads, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday urged the Federal Government to hand over all federal roads in the state to ensure proper repair and maintenance.

    The governor said this after an executive council meeting.

    He said 70 per cent of products in circulation are being transported by heavy trucks through the the Sagamu/Ogijo road.

    According to him, the state spends an average of N400 million monthly on federal roads every rainy season.

    Amosun said the Federal Government owes the state N124 billion for the repairs and assured that on – going projects would be completed.

    “We realise we have two years left and  have remobilised our contractors back on site,” he said.

     

  • Amosun, Gbadebo, others for Adire Eleko launch

    Amosun, Gbadebo, others for Adire Eleko launch

    After 25 years of in-depth research, a new book on the history of Adire craft industry among the Egba (Yoruba people of Southwest), Adire Eleko Fabric Art (A Vanishing Nigerian Indigo Impression) written by Prof Tunde Akinwumi is ready for launch.
    The 300-page book, which is an off-shoot of an initial research on the Egba textile industry during the reign of Oba Ademola, reflects the process, domestic and international market breakthrough of the past and the designs on the fabrics highlights certain Nigerian political memoirs and Yoruba culture.
    It will be presented to the public tomorrow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos by 11am.
    Expected at the launch are Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo Chief Ernest Shonekan, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and other traditional rulers and guests. Foreword to the book is written by Emeritus Prof A, Asiwaju.
    According to Prof Akinwumi, the book actually began as an assignment he was given by the late Oba Lipede in 1992 on the Egba textile industry/Art during the reign of Oba Ademola, which was to form the Egba history. “From that beginning, I expanded the research into a book. But, funding was a major challenge as I had to use part of my pension money for the production of the book. In fact, I spent about nine million naira to get the book ready for presentation,” he said.
    In a chat, Prof Akinwumi said the book is on the labour history of Adire Eleko artists who are mainly men, their lifestyles, as well as to examine the many challenges they faced as craftsmen. He noted that the Eleko art is vanishing because the designs are not what they used to be when they were used. They serve as mirror of the political issues of the day and historical documentation.
    He stated that most of the artists are all gone with no younger ones replacing them, adding that Adire Eleko takes more time to produce unlike Kampala and batik.
    “The book reflects the story of dedicated textile artists whose passion for excellent production, whose products were sought across West Africa up till Congo before the Nigerian civil war, whose interests were dampened by fierce competitions, by rivals such as production of mass imported fabrics, Kampala artists whose works were copied by current commercial outfits and others.
    ‘’They survived the hard time nevertheless they were always innovative in designs. Consequently, the artists started reducing in numerical strength, reducing in textile arts excellence, the decline sets in. What we used to enjoy in their works started vanishing such as records, comments by artists on political situation as impressions of thought, experiences of Yoruba cultural ideas started vanishing; sayings, proverbs, personal ideals as impressions are no longer shown on clothing all due to low morale. Those dedicated artists in Abeokuta are dead. The new young textile artists are interested only in Kampla,” he added.
    Notwithstanding the many challenges, Prof Akinwumi feels happy and elated each time he looks at the book, noting that the book that was written before his was by a foreign author on the production techniques of the various adire.

  • Amosun signs bills to upgrade MAPOLY to university

    Amosun signs bills to upgrade MAPOLY to university

    •Re-establish OGUNPOLY

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has signed into law the bill upgrading the state-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta.
    The governor, who assented to the bill, earlier passed by the House of Assembly, during the executive council meeting yesterday, also signed into law, the bill for the re-establishment of the Ogun State Polytechnic, which will be sited in Ipokia-Yewa-Awori axis of the state.
    Amosun revealed that the institutions will be multi-campus, as government would engage professionals and people of high knowledge to provide technical guide, adding that this will enhance the prospect of education in the state.
    Commending the House’s efforts for the timely and successful passage of the bill, the governor assured that necessary documents have been prepared and sent to the appropriate quarters.
    The Speaker, Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, said the House swung into action and accelerated the passage, because of the priority the government is giving to the education sector.
    He noted that the step will create jobs, open access to tertiary education in Ipokia and encourage the people to embrace education.

  • Ogun 2019: Who succeeds Amosun?

    Ogun 2019: Who succeeds Amosun?

    Two years into Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s second term, the debate over which zone should produce his successor has begun. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN writes on the politics of zoning in the Gateway State.

    THE race for the 2019 governorship election has begun in earnest in Ogun State. Aspirants across party lines have started hitting the road, storming the palaces of traditional rulers and homes of political gladiators, to solicit for support for their governorship bid. This sort of consultations have increased political tempo in the Gateway State.
    The politics of Ogun is sophisticated. The state has produced many gladiators. They include: former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Head of the Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan; Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; former governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola; and the late Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya.
    In Ogun, there exists an unwritten agreement on the zoning of the governorship among the three senatorial districts. But, this has not been strictly observed. Two of the three senatorial districts – Ogun East and Ogun Central — have dominated the governorship in the political history of the state. The Central district is made up of Egba people; East is composed of Ijebus and the West is populated by the Yewa and the Awori people.
    The late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo who governed the state from 1979 to 1983 and Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was at the helm of affairs between 2003 and 2011 are from Ogun East. Similarly, the Central district has produced two governors: Chief Olusegun Osoba (1991 to 1993 and 1999 to 2003) and the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who has been in charge since 2011.
    The West district has not had the opportunity to govern the state since it was created 41 years ago. The last time the Yewa people came close to producing a governor was in 2011, when two of their sons contested for the coveted seat on different political platforms. The political rivalry between Obasanjo and Daniel then denied the zone the opportunity to produce the governor. The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was polarised in the build up to the election. The Obasanjo group held a primary that produced former Major-General Adetunji Olurin (retd) as governorship candidate of the PDP, while the Daniel faction formed a new party, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), to enable its candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, vie for the governorship.
    Both Olurin and Isiaka hail from Yewa. The hope of their people was dashed as they lost to Amosun. What should have been a bloc vote from the area was inevitably split between them.
    Now that another governorship election will hold in two years time, the questions being asked by political observers are: where will the next governor come from? Will Ogun Central and East concede the position to Ogun West in the interest of equity, fairness and justice? Are the people of Yewa ready to break the jinx in 2019?
    Both Ogun East and Central districts are in the habit of forming alliances to facilitate the emergence of one of their sons as the governor, at the expense of the Ogun West. An opinion leader from the zone, Chief Adetunji Elegbede, is not happy with the way the two other zones are monopolising the position, “as if to say it is a taboo for Yewa and Awori in Ogun West to rule the state”.
    Elegbede said: “The struggle of Yewa people for the governorship seat is dated back to the Second Republic when the late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi indicated interest to contest for governorship in 1979. But, the leadership of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) prevailed on him to step down for the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, an Ijebu man from Ogun East. Instead, Odebiyi contested for the senatorial seat which he won. Indeed, he was the UPN Senate Leader from 1979 to 1983. Those alive around that period would bear me out that Odebiyi performed very well at the Senate. Those saying that Ogun West lacks qualified and competent people to govern the state are being economical with the truth.
    “Again in 1991, one of our leaders, the late Professor Afolabi Olabimtan, sought for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship ticket. He lost the primary to Osoba by a narrow margin. The people of Ogun West are not inferior, but through the collaborative efforts of Ogun East and Central, our people have been marginalised and as a result the position has become elusive.”
    Analysts believe that the consistent failure of the Yewa/Awori people to agree on the choice of candidate has been the major impediment working against their ambition to produce a governor. They recall that the greatest undoing of the zone in the 2011 governorship election was that two of its sons, Olurin of the PDP and Isiaka of the PPN, contested against each other. A political activist, Dr Olanrewaju Adeeyo, said what happened in 2011 was part of the conspiracy theory to stop Ogun West from ever producing governor for the state.
    He said: “Obasanjo who fielded Olurin is from Ogun Central, while Daniel who sponsored Isiaka comes from Ogun East. The two of them succeeded in using our sons from the West district to truncate our long-time ambition to produce governor for the first time. The conspiracy paved the way for Amosun from Ogun Central to emerge as governor.”
    Adeeyo said it is high time the Egbas and the Ijebus realise that Ogun State is a tripod and that the Yewa/Awori people have equal rights to aspire to any position, including governorship seat. He said: “They should abide with zoning formula which has become a permanent feature in Nigerian politics. The idea of treating a group of people as inconsequential is dangerous. If we continue this way, the people of Ogun West will react violently. It is better the political gladiators to concede the governorship to the zone in 2019.”
    However, the idea of giving the Yewa/Awori people a chance to produce the governor after the expiration of the tenure of Governor Amosun in 2019 appears to be gaining popularity among political stakeholders. At least, both Obasanjo and Amosun have agreed that the next governor should come from the zone.
    Speaking at a function in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Obasanjo said the zone should be allowed to produce Amosun’s successor, in the interest of equity and justice. He said it is unfair that the zone has not produced governor since the state was created four decades ago.
    The former president said: “If you don’t make them (the Yewas and Aworis) to feel they belong, you are inviting trouble and breeding fertile ground for terrorism in the state.”
    Similarly, Amosun had never hidden his preference for a Yewa/Awori indigene to succeed him in office come 2019. He made it a campaign issue in 2015, when he addressed the political leaders from the zone, saying he will ensure that the person that will take over from him would come from Ogun West. A source within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) confided in our correspondent that Amosun is still favourably disposed to keeping that promise to work towards the zone producing a governor for the first time since the creation of the state. Amosun was quoted as saying on television recently during a live media chat that: “I have ruled out governorship aspirants from Ogun Central; I would not endorse their ambitions, because the zone produced me as incumbent.”
    The source added: “But, the zone needs to put its house in order. The aspirants should work for the interest of their zone. If they fail to make sacrifice and harmonise their interests for a collective purpose, they may not have it again.”
    Analysts are of the view that the two major parties, the APC and the PDP, may pick their governorship candidates from Ogun West in 2019. Elegbede said he expressed the fear early during the build-up to the April 2, 2011 governorship polls. He recalled what he said then that the disagreement between Obasanjo and Daniel over the Yewa’s aspiration was a major obstacle to the actualisation of that ambition.
    However, he said the electorate in the zone have learnt some useful lessons in the previous failed attempts and are now determined to give all it takes to win the coveted seat this time. He said: “The Aworis and Yewas will speak with one voice at the poll in 2019. If all the registered parties pick their governorship candidates from Ogun West, we know the party we will cast our vote for. We will use the bloc vote advantage to break the jinx. We have had enough of divide and rule tactics.”
    Curiously, most of the aspirants that have shown interest so far to succeed Amosun are from Ogun West district. Could it be that the political gladiators across party lines have agreed to zone the governorship to Ogun West?
    Those reportedly jostling for the APC governorship ticket include: Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Senator Solomon Adeola, Prince Suraj Adekunbi, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo and Senator Gbolahan Dada. All of them hail from Ogun West. The only known aspirant from the PDP is Hon. Ladi Adebutu, a member of the House of Representatives. He is from Ogun East.
    Odebiyi is the Chief of Staff to Governor Amosun. He is the son of the late politician, Senator Jonathan Odebiyi. The younger Odebiyi is a successful technocrat, industrialist and a grassroots politician whose tentacles are spread across all the senatorial districts. A graduate of Building Construction and Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts, the United States of America, Odebiyi has carved a niche for himself in property development and investment. Besides, he has rescued many indigent citizens of the state, regardless of their party affiliation, from the jaws of poverty.
    Senator Adeola is an experienced politician. He currently represents Lagos West Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber. An indigene of Ilaro, the political headquarters of Ogun West, Adeola started his political career in 2003, when he was elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly. He was a member of the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2015. He had wanted to represent Ogun West in the Senate in the current dispensation, but he didn’t succeed. However, luck smiled on him when he won the APC ticket for Lagos West. Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has touched many lives through his empowerment programmes. A chartered accountant, Adeola was Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Account from 2011 to 2015.
    Senator Anisulowo is not new in governorship race. She was the governorship candidate of All Peoples Party (APP) in 1999. Her career in politics dates back to 1991, when she was appointed the Secretary to the Local Government in Ogun State. A year later, she became a commissioner in state’s Civil Service Commission. She was elected a senator in 2003. Under the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, Anisulowo served as a Minister of State for Education.
    Hon. Adekunbi is the current Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly. He served in that capacity also between 2011 and 2015. Senator Dada represents Ogun West district. A prince from Ota, he trained abroad in financial management.
    Hon. Adebutu is from Iperu in Ogun East. He represents Remo Federal constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP. The son of the multi-billionaire businessman, Chief Adebutu Kessington, is trying to rally the support of the Ijebu people to actualise his ambition to occupy the Oke-Mosan Government House.

  • Amosun: Southwest regional integration necessary

    Amosun: Southwest regional integration necessary

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday said Southwest regional integration was necessary for the region to develop.
    He said the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) has offered another opportunity for the region to offer direction that could lead to its socio-economic development.
    The governor spoke at the 2017 edition of the Southwest Governance Innovations Conference in Abeokuta, the state capital, aimed at charting a road map for quality governance and service delivery in Southwest states.
    The Conference with the theme: “Innovative Governance and Effective Service Delivery”, was organised by DAWN in partnership with Department for International Development (DFID) and PERL, with scores of participants from the private sector, heads of service and commissioners.
    Those who spoke include the Chief Executive Officer of Proshare Nigeria Limited, Dr. Olufemi Awoyemi, Dr. Dayo Adelogu, Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Regional Planning, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, Director of Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ijebu – Ode, Rev. Patrick Ngoye, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Bimbo Ashiru and Mrs Olubunmi Fadairo.
    Amosun, who was represented by Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga, called for the “harnessing and pooling together” of the strength and comparative advantages of each part for the overall development of the region.
    “Providence has been so good to us that the region belongs to O’odua family. This means we share a long history of relationship that cuts across sphere of culture which amongst other include language and religion.
    “A geographical contiguity also makes it easier; this allows for easier cooperation. We should, therefore, take advantage of all these opportunities to create a united front to drive the process of the development of the region,” he said.
    He, however, warned that the development envisaged for the region through the DAWN won’t just happen if the civil service in the states do not key into the agenda.
    Awoyemi blamed the nation’s slow development on lack of innovations.
    He said for Nigeria to move forward, it must separate good innovations from routine governance, whereby “successive government dropped good innovations by their predecessors.”