The South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has charged the newly inaugurated management team of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) to immediately commence visionary programmes, with a focus on timely and quality delivery of developmental projects across the region.
In a press statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Bisi Oladele, and Public Relations Officer, Remi Oladoye, on Monday, June 23, the guild congratulated members of the newly inaugurated commission and emphasized the need for them to prioritize impactful projects that will accelerate the economic and infrastructural transformation of the South West.
SWEGOP also called for a strategic partnership between the SWDC and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to strengthen regional integration and stimulate economic growth.
It noted that the DAWN Commission has laid a solid groundwork since its establishment in 2013, which SWDC can leverage for optimal resource utilization and meaningful results.
“SWEGOP welcomes SWDC to the overall efforts at making South West Nigeria the best place to live, invest, study and recreate.
“The DAWN Commission has laid a good foundation for efforts on this, hence the need to collaborate with it for optimum resource utilization and impactful results.
“Riding on the frameworks developed by the DAWN since 2013 will enhance speedy achievements of SWDC’s lofty goals,” the statement read in part.
The guild also noted that the commission has a critical role to play in tackling long-standing developmental challenges in the region, especially in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, youth empowerment, and the preservation and promotion of core regional values.
SWEGOP also expressed confidence in the leadership of the commission, singling out Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Senator Yunus Akintunde, and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, who heads the National Assembly committees overseeing the commission, as capable hands with the competence to drive the commission’s agenda.
The guild equally lauded the appointment of Dr. Charles Akinola as Managing Director of the SWDC, stating that his extensive experience with international development agencies and public service in Nigeria would be instrumental in efficiently steering the commission toward success.
“SWEGOP believes that given the calibre of people selected to lead the commission, SWDC is poised to meet the high expectations of the people of the region.
“We expect the management team to design and implement programmes and projects that will bring tangible difference to the lives of the people and uplift the South West economically and socially,” the statement added.
The guild further pledged to closely monitor the commission’s activities, assuring that it will hold its leaders accountable while offering fair and objective coverage of their initiatives.