Lagos governor, Sanwo-Olu, emerges South-West Governors’ Forum chairman
Six governors from Southwestern Nigeria rose from a meeting on Monday and appointed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum.
The governors met at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, office of Governor Sanwo-Olu, and after three hours of deliberation issued a communique.
Sanwo-Olu, briefing the state house correspondents after the meeting, announced that the governors appointed him as the new chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum.
He succeeded the late Ondo State Governor, Ogbeni Rotimi Akeredolu.
Governors of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde; Osun State, Ademola Adeleke; Ondo State, Luky Aiyedatiwa, and Ekiti, AbiodunOyebanji, were all at the meeting.
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South-West Governors’ Forum
The South-West Governors’ Forum is a collaborative platform consisting of the governors of the six states in the southwestern region of Nigeria. The forum serves as a means for these governors to come together, share ideas, and work collectively on issues affecting the region. The states represented in the forum are Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
Formation and Purpose
The South-West Governors’ Forum was established to promote regional integration, cooperation, and development among the states in the southwestern part of Nigeria. The forum provides a platform for the governors to discuss common challenges, share best practices, and coordinate efforts to address issues such as security, infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare within the region.
Key Functions
One of the key functions of the South-West Governors’ Forum is to foster unity and collaboration among the member states. By working together through this platform, the governors can leverage their collective resources and expertise to implement projects and initiatives that benefit the entire region. The forum also serves as a channel for dialogue with other levels of government and stakeholders on matters of mutual interest.
Achievements and Impact
Through the South-West Governors’ Forum, significant progress has been made in areas such as security cooperation, infrastructural development, education, healthcare, and agriculture across the region. By pooling their efforts and resources, the governors have been able to achieve tangible results that have positively impacted the lives of residents in the South-West.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its successes, the South-West Governors’ Forum faces challenges such as varying political interests among member states, funding constraints for joint projects, and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits across all states. Moving forward, sustaining momentum in collaboration while addressing these challenges will be crucial for the continued success of the forum in promoting regional development.
Collaboration with National Government
The South-West Governors’ Forum collaborates closely with the national government to advocate for policies and interventions that benefit not only their individual states but also the entire region. By engaging with federal authorities on issues such as security, infrastructure investment, revenue allocation, and other matters of regional importance, the forum amplifies its impact and strengthens its advocacy efforts.
International Partnerships and Engagements
In addition to engaging with national authorities, the South-West Governors’ Forum also seeks partnerships with international organizations and foreign governments to access expertise, funding opportunities, and best practices from around the world. These collaborations enable the forum to tap into global knowledge networks and bring innovative solutions to regional challenges.
