By John Odunayo
The six governors of the South West zone on Thursday expressed readiness to counter any attempt by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to enter the region, thereby undermining its security.
The governors at their closed-door meeting in Lagos, deliberated and agreed on common interests and key regional issues, including security, agriculture, food security, economic collaboration, and the establishment of the Southwest Development Commission.
Their Chairman and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who read the communique issued at the end of the South-West Governors Forum, said that the governors had resolved to move against hunger, food shortage and inflation in the zone.
The meeting was attended by Govs Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
The meeting followed a similar one held in Lagos on June 10, 2024 where Sanwo-Olu was unanimously appointed Chairman of the Forum.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the governors commended the board and management team of Odua Investment Limited for its ongoing efforts in repositioning the investment company.
“The governors also commended President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing economic reforms that have ensured stable naira and supply of petrol across the country”.
He said the president was commended for establishing the South Western Development Commission and that the governors agreed that its head office should be located in Ibadan within Cocoa House of Odua Investment Company Limited.
Sanwo-Olu stated that “as part of efforts to ensure food security and check inflation, a food inflation joint monitoring team was agreed on with the goal of curbing food inflation within the region while each state should establish a food logistics hub in their domain”.
