By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Southwest Conference of Speakers have advocated for collaborative measures among Southwest states to address escalating security challenges facing the region.
This formed part of the resolution reached at the end of their meeting at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resorts, Ekiti State on February 20, 2024.
The meeting was hosted by the Speaker of Ekiti state House of Assembly and Chairman, Southwest Conference of Speakers, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye had in attendance other House of Assembly Speakers which included Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin of Oyo state, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji of Ondo State and Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun of Osun State.
The meeting featured a visit to the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and the attendance at a one-day retreat by the Ekiti State House of Assembly focusing on “Enhancing Socio-Economic Development of Ekiti State through the Private Sector and Foreign Direct Investment: The roles of the legislature.
Read the full text of the Communique;
**Communiqué of the Southwest Conference of Speakers Meeting**
**Date:** February 20, 2024
**Venue:** Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ekiti State
We, the Speakers of the Southwest states, namely Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun of Osun State House of Assembly, and the host, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Southwest Conference of Speakers, convened at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ekiti State, for a meeting on February 20, 2024.
The meeting featured a visit to the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and the attendance at a one-day retreat by the Ekiti State House of Assembly focusing on “Enhancing Socio-Economic Development of Ekiti State through the Private Sector and Foreign Direct Investment: The roles of the Legislature.”
After deliberations, the Speakers reached the following resolutions:
1. **Southwest Socio-Economic Integration:** The Speakers call for increased regional integration efforts to foster economic growth and development across the Southwest states.
2. **Collaborative Security Efforts:** The Speakers advocate for collaborative measures among Southwest states to address the escalating security challenges facing the region.
3. **Harmonized Legislation:** The Speakers commit to working on harmonized legislation, particularly in areas of common interest, to promote uniformity and coherence in legal frameworks across the Southwest region.
4. **Devolution of Power and State Policing:** The Speakers endorse the devolution of power to states, especially in the realm of security, and emphasize the importance of state policing as a means to enhance security and law enforcement at the local level.
5. **Economic Concerns and Food Shortage:** The Conference calls on the federal government to urgently address the rising economic concerns, particularly the shortage of food, and urges citizens to support government efforts in finding lasting solutions to these challenges.
6. **Legislative Summit:** The Conference agrees to host a legislative summit to address critical issues affecting the Southwest region and to foster collaboration and cooperation among the legislative assemblies of the Southwest states.
We hereby affirm our commitment to these resolutions and pledge to work collectively towards the advancement and prosperity of the Southwest region.
Signed:
1. Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye
2. Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin
3. Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji
4. Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun