NAN-HE-17
Governors
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Dec. 8, 2016(NAN) The South West Governors whose states owned the Odu’a Investment Limited, on Thursday called for the rejuvenation of the conglomerate as platform for growth and development.
The governors made the appeal at the 40th Anniversary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governors had, in their separate goodwill messages, reacted to the operations and state of the conglomerate as it clocked 40 years.
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said that all the stakeholders should join hands in making the company better than it was, saying a better Yoruba race deserved the sacrifice of all.
“The fundamental problem is the value system which has broken down. We must rejuvenate our value system and the Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
“What we are celebrating today is the survival of the company and not improvement. This company is the Noah’s Ark of the Yoruba race for economic salvation, ” he said.
Ajimobi called on the board and management to turn the company into a business, which would allow private investments and make it more economically buoyant.
He urged Nigerians to embrace hard work, saying they were extremely religious but equally ungodly.
The governor congratulated the founding fathers and governors present at the programme on their vision and contributions to the development of the region.
Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State urged the company’s management to look towards agro-allied industries established in Ondo State to boost the company’s economic base.
Mimiko, who was represented by Mr Sunday Agbatoba, a Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Governor’s Office, hailed the founding governors of the company.
Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun observed that the company was not making the expected progress, calling on stakeholders to collectively take it to greater heights.
Amosun, who was represented by Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Secretary to Ogun State Government, said that the company was the common heritage of the Yoruba race, which should be enhanced and sustained.
He appreciated the founding fathers and the drivers of the conglomerate for their contributions to the development of the company.
Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State said that the conglomerate brought integrity and opportunities to the Yoruba region.
Fayose, who was represented by Mr Deji Ajiboye, the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Governor’s Office, said that the renewed pursuit of the company’s goals would enhance economic prosperity of the region and Nigeria.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said that the company was an enduring legacy of the Yoruba race.
Ambode, who was represented by Mr Tunji Bello, the Secretary to Lagos State Government, urged the people of the region to ensure that the legacy was sustained.
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said that the owner state governors had been able to put partisan politics behind them, saying they met more than five times to chart common vision for the region.
Aregbesola, who was represented by Mr Moshood Adeoti, the Secretary to the State Government, said the governors contributed to the development of the company and accepted Lagos State as a South West state.(NAN)
TAA/AOM/IA
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(By Abdullahi Mohammed/Idris Abdulrahman)