The Call for Action from the South-West
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West geopolitical zone has urged governors and other regional leaders to align their words with meaningful actions. This call was made by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the APC, Ayobami Afolabi, during a statement delivered in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday.
A significant event that led to this call was the two-day South-West stakeholders’ summit held in Akure, Ondo State, last week. The summit was organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission in collaboration with the Afenifere Renewal Group and the state governments of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo.
Key Participants at the Summit
The summit brought together a wide range of participants, including:
- Governors of the six states in the South-West
- Lawmakers from the region
- Federal Government appointees
- Traditional rulers
- Former political officeholders
- Captains of industry
- Interest groups
- Other key stakeholders
This diverse gathering highlighted the collective interest in advancing the development of the South-West.
A Call for Implementation
Speaking with The PUNCH, Afolabi emphasized the importance of translating the ideas and roadmaps generated from the summit into tangible actions. He stated that the quality of representation and discussions at the Akure summit demonstrated the readiness of the people of the South-West to revive the spirit of leadership that once defined the Western Region.
He noted that figures like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other legendary personalities had mobilized limited resources to create unique ideas and actions that placed the region at the forefront of good governance and exemplary leadership.
The Role of Geopolitical Zone Commissions
Afolabi also highlighted the significance of the idea of geopolitical zone development commissions. He described this as a subtle way of meeting the demand for true federalism, where each zone is given a platform for partnership, collectivism, and unity of purpose.
He praised the organizers of the Akure summit for facilitating a dialogue that remained free from politics or sentiments. He pointed out that people from all walks of life were involved, and the outcome showed that the sons and daughters of Yorubaland are mindful of shared values, opportunities, and prospects that could transform their land into an Eldorado.
The Need for Immediate Action
Despite the positive outcomes of the summit, Afolabi stressed that the major challenge lies in accelerating action. He called on concerned individuals, groups, and authorities to ensure that the gains of the summit are translated into holistic development for the South-West geopolitical zone.