Segun Atanda/
The South West Governors’ Forum has expressed strong confidence in Odu’a Investment Company Limited, commending the company’s transformative strides in economic diversification and asset management, including its ambitious BITA Exploration initiative targeting first oil in 2025.
This endorsement was part of the resolutions reached at the Forum’s meeting on Thursday, where regional security and agricultural reforms also took centre stage.
In a communique issued after the meeting, the governors lauded Odu’a’s recent achievements, including significant concessions secured for its legacy properties, consistent dividend payouts to shareholder states for 11 consecutive years, and progress on landmark projects like the redevelopment of Premier Hotel and the enhancement of Cocoa House.
During the meeting, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chairman of Odu’a Group, and Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, the GMD/CEO, made detailed presentations on the company’s milestones and future strategies.
They highlighted Odu’a’s focus on energy, agriculture, and infrastructure as critical components for driving regional development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who chaired the meeting, praised the company’s performance, stating, “We are proud of the milestones achieved by Odu’a Investment Company Limited, particularly its diversification into energy and agriculture. The group’s forward-thinking initiatives are critical to the economic revitalisation of the South West.”
Acknowledging rising security threats, the governors resolved to establish a Joint Surveillance and Monitoring Team for the South West. This regional security outfit will enhance coordination and tackle challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
Governor Abiodun emphasised the urgency of the initiative, stating, “The safety of our citizens is paramount. This joint effort will strengthen our collective capacity to address security issues effectively and decisively.”
To address escalating food prices, the Forum also resolved to set up State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Teams and Aggregation Centres.
These initiatives aim to curb exploitative practices by middlemen and ensure fair pricing for agricultural produce across the region.
The governors urged closer collaboration between the DAWN Commission and Commissioners for Agriculture to harness the region’s agricultural potential for industrialisation and economic growth.
The Forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the economic stability achieved under his administration, particularly the sustained supply of petroleum products and exchange rate stabilisation.
The governors also applauded the Federal Government for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC), with Cocoa House in Ibadan as its headquarters, and for implementing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has significantly benefited students in the region.
The meeting highlighted the governors’ collective commitment to promoting peace, security, and sustainable development across the South West.
“Together, we are dedicated to creating an environment where businesses thrive, communities feel secure, and our citizens enjoy better opportunities,” Governor Abiodun concluded.
With a renewed focus on regional collaboration and leveraging the strengths of institutions like Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the South West governors expressed their commitment to charting a path toward a more prosperous and secure future for the region.
0