By Uche Onyeali
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been commended for driving development, improving security and building cohesion in the region, following an assessment of his achievements, months after he emerged as Chairman of the South West Governors Forum.
Pro-democracy and Pan-Yoruba group, South-West Initiative stated this while conducting a tour of South-Western states since Governor Sanwo-Olu’s reign took off as chairman of South-West Governors Forum.
It would be recalled that the governors of the six states in the region on Monday, June 10, 2024 elected Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the forum.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Director-General of the initiative, Razaq Olokoba disclosed that evidence on ground shows that the South-West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu.
Olokoba noted that his developmental strides in Lagos State is clearly rubbing off on other states in the region, adding that there has been marked improvement in peace and security of Yoruba-speaking states since his emergence.
He revealed that part of the group’s findings showed that the South-West had been positively impacted by the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s policies which Governor Sanwo-Olu and other governors had done well to implement.
“After we toured states in the South-West region, we can reveal without doubt that states in the geopolitical zone are in good hands with Sanwo-Olu as Chairman of South-West governors.
“We dare say that the South-West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu.
“Having thoroughly reviewed and assessed what Governor Sanwo-Olu has done in the last six months, it is refreshing to note that he has been playing a crucial role in advancing the well-being and prosperity of the people of the zone.
“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 come.
“We also commend you and 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 Tinubu must also be made to know that his policies and programmes are impacting the region because you (Sanwo-Olu) and your colleagues have continued to compliment the efforts of the president.
“We call for more collaboration with the Tinubu-led administration in economic development, healthcare, infrastructure and so on; we are sure that with Sanwo-Olu in the saddle, forging regional cooperation, economic development and social progress are certain,” the group stated.
It also lauded the governors of the South-West 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.
