South West Governors Set Up Food Hubs to Tackle Inflation

South West Governors Set Up Food Hubs to Tackle Inflation 

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The six Governors of the South West region of Nigeria have agreed to establish joint food hubs to address the growing food inflation and associated challenges in the region.

The Governors also agreed to set up a special security outfit to combat all forms of banditry and other crimes.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this while reading the communique issued at the end of the South-West Governors Forum meeting held at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Thursday.

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as well as Governors Biodun Oyebaniji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Ademola Adeleke, Osun, attended the extensive meeting.

The closed-door meeting focused on common interests and key regional issues, including security, agriculture, food security, economic collaboration, and the establishment of the Southwest Development Commission.

The meeting followed a similar one held in Lagos on June 10, 2024, during which Sanwo-Olu was unanimously appointed Chairman of the Forum.

The governors said they are ready to counter any attempt by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) to encroach the region, thereby undermining its security.

The Forum commended the board and management team of Odua Investment Limited for its ongoing efforts in repositioning the investment company.

They  also commended President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing economic reforms that have ensured stable naira and supply of petrol across the country.

Sanwo-Olu said the president was commended for establishing the South Western Development Commission and that the governors agreed that its head office should be located at Ibadan within Cocoa House of Odua Investment Company Limited.

As part of efforts to ensure food security and check inflation, Sanwo-Olu stated that governors said a food inflation joint monitoring team was agreed on curbing food inflation within the region while each state should establish a food logistics hub in their domain.