The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Ekiti
State counterpart, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose have called for the unity of
Yoruba nation to enhance meaningful development.
The duo also identified the need for State Governors to collectively
address the nation's dwindling economy so as to savage Nigerians from
the hardship of the current economic situation.
In their separate remarks, Governor Fayose who was on a visit to
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said his visit was aimed to
deliberate with his brother (Governor Aregbesola) on the need to join
hands with other Governors in Nigeria by intensifying holistic and
realistic economic plans that would totally bailed out the country
especially the states from their current plethora of challenges
orchestrated by the dipping price of the crude oil in the global market.
Governor Fayose lamented over what he attributed as unprecedented
economic hardship occasioned with the continuous fall in the oil revenue said the only realizable means for Nigeria and Nigerians was to shift
attention to non-oil resources for maximized revenues.
He described the revenues to the states from the Federation Account as
peanut that could not be relied upon in meeting the constitutional
obligations of the states, saying the continued fall in the price of
crude oil at the international market remains a signal for any serious
government to reawaken the already slumbered potentials in other sectors
of the economy.
Governor Fayose also charged the government at different levels to tap,
explore and exploit the economic opportunities and benefits embedded in
agriculture, solid mineral resources and technology to boost and enhance
the general well being of their people.
He revealed that the time has come for all Nigerians to think beyond the
box and reason intellectually on the need to opt out from the current
economic mess by jettisoning all forms of socio-political, cultural,
religious and economic differences in a bid to pave way for a formidable
and united Nigeria which the country deserves.
Governor Fayose elucidated that no country would attain greatness in an
atmosphere being attracted to hatred, disunity and reflective
disintegration, adding that Nigeria has a widen greater chance to be
more economically prosperous and blossom once the our differences were
placed behind one another.
Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Governor Fayose said his visit to
the state was about the future of Yoruba nation and the state of the
nation's economy, saying Yorubas must ensure adequate peace and unity as
efforts of past Yoruba leaders should not be in vain
According to him, the visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to
the Alaafin Of Oyo more than a week ago sends a strong signal on the
need for unity and cooperation not only in Yorubaland but in the entire
country.
Governor Fayose said, " the time is now for we Governors to look beyond
political parties and politics for proper development of our societies,
states and the entire country as this remains the purpose of being in
government.
"We Governors should not relent in our efforts to demonstrate to the
whole world our capability to steer the affairs of our states by tapping
from available opportunities in Agriculture to reduce economic problem
in our respective states.
Governor Fayose who described political parties as only platforms for
election contests admonished politicians to see beyond their noses and
relate to one another irrespective of their political affiliations.
Governor reaffirmed that he has no intention whatsoever to dump Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, for any other party in Nigeria, saying he remains
in PDP in order to play a significant opposition role towards the
nation's politics and governance.
He therefore appealed to politicians not to sow the seed of discord or
heating up the polity all in the interest of selfishness and futile
governance.
"Those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomarch of the dictator.
"I remain in the PDP to play the opposition role. Without opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship", Fayose said.
Responding, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended
Governor Fayose for the visit stressed the need to create economic bond
that would rescue Nigeri,ans from level of poverty, unemployment,
insecurity among others.
Governor Aregbesola who also lamented on the adverse effects of the
dwindling economy said the situation could only be managed if Nigerians
especially the youths appreciate the countless potentials in the non-oil
resources most importantly agriculture.
Governor Aregbesola said for any government to successfully manage the
affairs of the state at this current economic complications, there is a
need to source for realistic and reliable means to make life more
meaningful, useful, prosperous and worthwhile for the citizenry.
He noted that since oil had lost its position as the biggest source of
revenue generation for the country, therefore there is the need to shift
attention to non-oil sectors like agriculture, miningn solid mineral
resources, industrialization, science and technology, among others.
In the realization of these prosperous economic projections, Governor
Aregbesola disclosed that Southwestern part of Nigeria had concluded
plans to reposition Odu'a Investment Company Limited Conglomerate as the
engine room of Yoruba economy.
He said the company has restrategized its plans to improve the
socio-economic well being of the yorubas, saying the era unending
peaceful coexistence has begun in the region.
Governor Aregbesola who described peace and unity as indispensable
instrument to greatness, success and progress said it is time for
Yorubas to strengthen the existing peace for all round development.
He called on the leadership of yoruba nation to strengthen the existing
peace and unity being enjoyed by all in the region for better
development and advanced regional integration.
Aregbesola opined, "I am honoured to play host to my friend and brother,
the executive Governor of Ekiti State. His visit shows that though we
differ politically but the Yoruba race remains united.
"We will continue to work together for the success of our race and
Nigeria at large to better the life of the average Yoruba man.
Comments
Post a Comment