Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been applauded for driving development, improving security, and building cohesion in the region, following an assessment of his achievements months after he emerged as the chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum.
Pro-democracy and Pan Yoruba group, South West Initiative asserted this while conducting a tour of South Western states since Governor Sanwo-Olu’s reign took off as Chairman of South West Governor’s Forum.
It would be recalled that the governors of the six states in the southwestern part of Nigeria, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo, on Monday, June 10, 2024, elected Sanwo-Olu chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum.
Speaking during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Director General of the Initiative, Razaq Olokooba, disclosed that evidence on the ground shows the South West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the South West Governors Forum.
Olokooba noted that Sanwo-Olu’s developmental stride in Lagos state is now clearly rubbing off on other states in the region, adding that there’s been a marked improvement in peace and security of the Yoruba-speaking states since his emergence.
He revealed that part of the group’s findings show that the Southwest region had been positively impacted by the President Bola Tinubu-led government policies which Governor Sanwo-Olu and other governors of the regions have done well to implement.
“After we tour the states in the Southwest region, we can without a doubt that states in the geopolitical zone are in good hands with Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman of South West governors.
“We dare say that the South West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman of South West Governors Forum, the region is in good hands like never before.
“Having thoroughly reviewed and assessed what Governor Sanwo-Olu has done in the last six months, it is refreshing to note that you (Sanwo-Olu) have been playing a crucial role in advancing the well-being and prosperity of the people of Southwest.
“Governors and the people now look up to you Sanwo-Olu) for guidance and strategic direction. We are confident that what you have achieved in the last six months is a tip of the iceberg as more are to yet.
“We also commend you and the other governors in the region for stemming the tide against insecurity and maintaining peace which has inadvertently played a major role in boosting the economy of the region.
“President Bola Tinubu must also be made to know that his policies and programmes at the centre are impacting the region because you (Sanwo-Olu) and his colleagues have continued to compliment the efforts of the president.
“We call for more collaboration with the President Tinubu-led administration in economic development, healthcare, infrastructure, and so on; we are sure that with Sanwo-Olu in the saddle as the leader of Southwestern states forging a regional cooperation, economic development, and social progress are certain”.
The group also lauded the governors of South Western Nigeria for their efforts to entrench cultural values by adopting the Yoruba national anthem; ‘Ise wa fun ile wa’, adding that their action signifies that the region is marching forward with unity of purpose.
