Inside Nigeria

South West Stakeholders Want Urgent Parley with Presidential Candidates

...South West's strategic development on the card

Shola Oshunkeye December 15, 2022

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Map of South-West Nigeria showing the study areas Ogun and-Oyo states.

SOUTH WEST DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS FORUM INSISTS ON PRESIDENTIAL PARLEYS FOCUSED ON THE SOUTHWEST AND HOW CANDIDATES INTEND TO DELIVER DEVELOPMENT DIVIDENDS TO THE REGION.

The South West Development Stakeholders Forum, comprising civil society organisations, professionals, and religious leaders, rose from a crucial meeting and called for an urgent meeting with the presidential candidates of the country’s major political parties to discuss the region’s strategic interest.

Specifically, the Forum wants the parley to hold as soon as possible in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to afford the candidates the opportunity to articulate their plans for the development of the South West should they take power in 2023.

The body maintained that the parley had become highly necessary as the South West, being the industrial and commercial engine room of Nigeria, all “matrices clearly show that the Nigerian economy is driven by economic activities in the South West of Nigeria.

“Given its growing population of more than 50 million residents, its historical trajectory as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria, its strategic political importance, and huge potential in driving national growth and development; the region deserves to know from the presidential candidates exactly how they intend to incorporate the South West in their agenda for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.

“The South West can also boast of having residents from most, if not all, ethnic nationalities of Nigeria. We are the biggest, non-discriminatory, melting pot for Nigerians and their social, commercial and other development activities and therefore deserve the critical consideration of all candidates.

“With just over two months to the general elections, there is a need for the Presidential, as well as the region’s Gubernatorial and Legislative candidates, to pronounce their plans for a concrete development agenda for the South West Region.

“The South West Development Stakeholders is willing and ready to bring the Presidential candidates to the table to address Yoruba people, and indeed all Nigerians living in the South West, of specific plans to make them true stakeholders in the new unfolding federation.”

The Forum promised to release detailed plans for the parley as soon as possible.

The communique was signed on behalf of the South West Development Stakeholders by:

1. Dr Alao Adedayo, alao_adedayo@yahoo.com, Yoruba World Center

2. Otunba Ayodeji Osibogun, ayodejiosibogun@gmail.com Yoruba Ko’ya Leadership and Training Foundation

3. Sir Gbenga Adebusuyi, adegbenga.adebusuyi@gmail.com, Majeobaje Community Development Initiative

4. Prince Kayode Adeyemi, keyneconsulting@gmail.com, ODU’A CCIMA

5. Mrs. Foluso Oyenuga, govframo@gmail.com, Professional Women Group

5. Dr. Ayo Famuyide, Famson@aol.com, Egbe Omo Yoruba North America

Also on behalf of:

1. Revd. Muyiwa Bamgbose, muyibam@yahoo.com Majeobaje Community Development Initiative

2. Senator Tokunbo Ogunbanjo, senatorogunbanjo@mac.com, Yoruba Ko’ya Leadership and Training Foundation

3. Chief Akintayo Akin-Deko, akindeko@hotmail.com, Majeobaje Community Development Initiative