By: Admin
Governors of the south
west geopolitical zone of Nigeria under the aegis of Development Agenda for
Western Nigeria (DAWN) have made known their plans to prepare the youths of the
region for effective governance in the future.
Members of DAWN
comprising of all Southwest governors and other Yoruba leaders have organized a
youth summit in Oshogbo, Osun state, where youth delegates from across the
region would assemble to deliberate and propose a “master plan vision for
development and advancement of the region.”
The call was made by
Osun state Commissioner for Regional Integration, Hon. Bola Ilori on TVC’s
‘This Morning’ programme.
Ilori, who is one of
the organizers of the programme divulged that the regional youth summit which
is scheduled for 12th and 13th December, 2017 would be
hosted by the Osun state government.
He further disclosed
that Southwest governors across Party lines had met in Abeokuta, Ogun state
capital to discuss the future of the region and had resolved to engage the
youths in the Yoruba agenda.
His words, “Anything
that the region and the people are doing is done under this agenda. The agenda
was put together across party line. It is not of APC or PDP. We have come
together to call ourselves western region.
“Part of the resolution
of the Abeokuta meeting was that there should be 25 years development plan for
the region because whether we like it or not the youth will be in governance in
20 years time.”
The theme of the summit
according to the Honorable Commissioner is “West 2040: Productivity”
Ilori believes that
productivity is key to development while asserting that the youths have to be
involved in government policies and planning as they would get to leadership
positions some day.
He said, “We want to
target the youth. The dream is appealing to them.
“It is the youth of
today, whether we like it or not who will become governors, ministers, and even
President in the nearest future.
“The summit is titled
productivity because that is key; we want our people to change their mentality
and know that there is no future in crude oil.
He said the youths have
to be involved at the planning stage for the purpose of advancement.
“We need advancement and
we don’t want to retrogress. The youth will be involved even at the stage of
conceptualizing.
“We believe that they
will be the one to implement these plans, whether we like it or not. In the
next 20 years they would say that we are part part of the vision that
transformed western Nigeria.”
The Commissioner
assured that the summit would not discriminate against any political party for
it was not politically motivated.
“We are making it
by-political; we are sending letters to APC, PDP, ACCORD, AD; all of them. We
are asking them to bring their own youths.
“We are not stopping
there; we are also inviting students unions, town unions, youths that have
started showing some traits of leadership in the region. We are targeting them
to come together. These are conscious youths.
“We are not sharing
money, we don’t even have money. We are expecting serious minded individuals
and youths.”
He commended the youths
for their willingness to attend the summit as well as their enthusiasm towards
governance
“The feedback is
impressive; over 600 people have registered online. That is to shows you the
enthusiasm. The youths want change, but the platform had never been provided;
but that is what we are providing.” He said.
When quizzed about
leadership in Yoruba land, Ilori hailed all the southwest governors for their
patriotism and provision of good governance to the region despite the economic
recession, positing that the Yoruba agenda is sacrosanct.
His words, ““Yoruba had
gone far in development before the military put the region in reverse gear.
“Across party line,
regardless of what people may say, all the current southwest governors are
trying. Everybody is striving to cope with the reality on ground.
“It is unfortunate now
that resources are not available when we have governors that are ready to work.
“Lagos happen to be
very very lucky and that is not applicable to most state. Give thanks to
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for laying a solid foundation and also thank
lagosians for allowing continuity.”
Ilori, a strong loyalist
of former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has served in
various political capacities in Lagos and Osun.
He was once the
Executive Chairman of Alimosho local government; formerly, a special adviser to
Governor Aregbesola; and presently the Osun state Commissioner for Regional
integration.
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