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Tag: Southwest Development Commission

  • SWDC boss expresses readiness to implement critical decisions

    SWDC boss expresses readiness to implement critical decisions

    The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Development Commission (SWDC), Mr Charles Akinola, has said the commission was ready to partner the six governors in the region to implement its agenda.

    He hailed Southwest governors for the resolve to improve the economic and security integrity of the region.

    Akinola spoke shortly after leading members of the commission to meet the governors at Oyo State Governors Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Fielding questions from reporters on the outcome of the meeting held behind closed doors, Akinola, who described the meeting as “very fruitful”, said the commission was looking forward to working with state governments in the implementation of the critical decisions taken at the meeting.

    He said the meeting was very fruitful, adding that it allowed for deeper interactions with the governors, whom he described as critical stakeholders, who were also the advisory committee members of the commission.

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    The MD/CEO said the commission took the opportunity to interact further with the governors about the establishment of the commission, its mandates and the fact that it was created to work with the governors in such a way that the region would become one economic block and not six states.

    He lauded the resolve of the six governors to improve collaboration and collective effort in joint security trust fund, sharing of information and deploying technology to improve security.

    Akinola said the commission would be willing and ready to improve the synergy.

    The governors at the meeting include the Chairman, Southwest Governors Forum and Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun), who was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.

  • Afenifere hails Tinubu over Southwest Development Commission

    Afenifere hails Tinubu over Southwest Development Commission

    The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiative on regional development commissions will expand economic growth in the Southwest region. 

    The Ekiti State coordinator, Elder Bunmi Awotiku, stated this in Ado-Ekiti at an event marking 32nd anniversary of June 12, Democracy Day in the country. 

    Awotiku praised Tinubu for his visionary leadership and commitment to regional development and integration, said the initiative is a welcome development that will harness the region’s socioeconomic potential and promote development.

    The event, themed “June 12: Economic Imperatives of Southwest Development Commission,” featured a lecture by Professor Taiwo Owoeye of Ekiti State University.

    Awotiku commended Tinubu for his efforts in promoting democracy and development in Nigeria, noting that the President’s initiatives are a testament to his commitment to the country’s growth and progress. 

    Reflecting on the significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic history, the ARG Coordinator, said the 1993 presidential election laid a solid foundation for the country’s democratic growth. 

    Awotiku lamented the annulment of the freest and credible election won by late Moshood Abiola and the loss of lives during the protests but lauded sacrifices made by Nigerians, which ultimately paved the way for the country’s current democratic dispensation.

    He said, “Many here may have not witnessed the election, but we thank God for the ARG , if not for the group, History as a subject wouldn’t have been reintroduced back into the school curriculum. 

    “Our people are fast forgetting our history, most of children don’t know who is Segun Odegbami, Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, even MKO Abiola, we only hear their names but the elders here will know the story of June 12.  

    “The spontaneous reaction of Nigerians against the annulment of the election led to the killing of people on the streets of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and across Nigeria.But let us thank God, because if not for June 12, there won’t be Biodun Oyebanji and talking about shared prosperity. 

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    “It is because of June 12 that we have democracy in Nigeria and our own Bola Tinubu as President. This has brought freedom and development to Nigeria in all spheres.We need to remind ourselves, where were are coming from , where are we and where are we heading to ? It is this agitation that gave birth to ARG”, he added. 

    Owoeye, in his lecture, suggested that states in the Southwest region should leverage their comparative advantages to achieve common goals.

    He emphasised the need for regional integration, citing the ongoing coastal road project from Lagos to Calabar as a catalyst for economic transformation.

    The event drew various interest groups, artisans, market women, students, and government officials, who reflected on the significance of June 12 and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

  • Invest in interstate speed rail for economic growth, Cleric urges Southwest Govs

    Invest in interstate speed rail for economic growth, Cleric urges Southwest Govs

    A cleric and philanthropist, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has urged Southwest Governors to collaborate with the newly formed Southwest Development Commission and invest in construction of an interstate speed rail network to boost connectivity and economic growth of the region.

    The cleric, who is the Planter, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide, stated that the transformative potential of the proposed project was enormous if the governors can tap into it.

    Speaking during an interview, Olu-Alo noted that linking the six Southwest states with modern railway system will create jobs for many unemployed Nigerians, particularly the youths, ease travelling burdens and generate revenue for southwest states.

    He said: “Imagine a seamless rail network connecting no less than 44 cities and towns in our region, this is not just about infrastructure; it is about restoring the Southwest to its position as Nigeria’s economic hub. This project will empower our people, drive commerce, and uplift countless communities.”

    According to him, southwest as a whole needs good road infrastructure, citing example of a Senator from Osun State, who revoked a road contract to a contractor due to usage of substandard materials, saying roads across the region would have been better off if others can emulate that.

    The cleric, who hailed Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde for his strides in road construction in the State,  lamented poor state of road infrastructure in several border areas between Southwest States and Kogi.

    He said people of Ekiti are commending Governor Abiodun Oyebanji for his efforts, urging him to do more for the state.

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    He urged leaders in the region to adopt united front and collaborate on a shared vision for a speed rail project, which according to him, would serve as a legacy for generations to come.

    “Governance is not about political parties but about the people, our elder statesmen, monarchs, and stakeholders must rally the governors to act decisively. Let us leave behind a legacy of collaboration and regional development,” he said. 

    He advocated for the passage of a project continuity bill, which would ensure that critical infrastructural projects are not abandoned by succeeding administrations, thus preventing waste of public resources.

    The Prophet called on President Bola Tinubu and the governors to intensify efforts to combat insecurity, especially to protect farmers who face threats in their line of work.

  • SWest, Northcentral Development Commissions’ Bills scale second reading in Senate

    SWest, Northcentral Development Commissions’ Bills scale second reading in Senate

    A Bill seeking to establish the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) yesterday scaled the second reading in the Senate.

    Also, a similar Bill seeking to create the Northcentral Development Commission (NCDC) scaled the second reading.

    The SWDC Bill, titled: “A Bill for an Act to establish the Southwest Development Commission, 2023,” was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel and co-sponsored by all senators from the Southwest.

    In his lead debate, Daniel said the Bill was read for the first time last August.

    The Ogun East senator said 21 per cent of Nigerians currently live in the Southwest and the region is projected to hold close to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population by 2050 “because of the pattern of migration, which will ultimately put greater strains on existing infrastructures”.

    He added: “SWDC aims to be forward-looking about filling in the gaps in critical areas of needs that can accelerate and stimulate development; mitigating cost of lands for agriculture, connecting roads and rails, managing environment/ecology and expanding frontiers of opportunities for our collective prosperity etc.”

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    All the senators that contributed to the Bill supported it and approved that it should be read for a second time when Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the matter to voice vote.

    The Bill on NCDC was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who presented the lead debate during plenary.

    Moro said when established, the NCDC would act as a catalyst for the development of the Northcentral.

    All the senators that contributed to the Bill also supported it and approved that it should be read for a second time when the Senate President put it to voice vote.

    Akpabio referred both Bills to the Senate Committee on Special Duties for further legislative actions and for the committee to report back in four weeks.

    Also yesterday, a Bill seeking the establishment of a Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) scaled the second reading.

    The Bill was transmitted to the Senate for concurrence by the House of Representatives, which had passed it.

    Akpabio referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole and for it to be considered at the next legislative day.