The Progressives Group Commends DAWN Commission, Afenifere, and Ondo Government for Successful South-West Engagement Summit

The Progressives Group Commends DAWN Commission, Afenifere, and Ondo Government for Successful South-West Engagement Summit

The Progressives Group has applauded the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Afenifere, and the Ondo State Government for hosting the highly successful South-West Citizen-Government Engagement Summit in Akure, describing it as a landmark platform for promoting unity, collaboration, and regional growth.

The summit, attended by governors, traditional rulers, ministers, and legislators from across the region, focused on strategies to accelerate regional development and integration through major infrastructural initiatives such as regional railway networks, industrial hubs, and farm settlements.

According to participants, these transformative projects would boost trade, create employment, enhance food security, and strengthen economic ties among South-West states — further positioning the region as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.

A communiqué issued at the end of the summit urged political leaders at all levels to demonstrate vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people rather than narrow partisan interests.

The forum also emphasized the need for strengthened Yoruba unity and solidarity across all South-West states and diaspora communities, with a shared resolve to transcend political divisions for collective regional advancement and preservation of cultural heritage.

Participants further called on the Federal Government to intensify public enlightenment and transparent communication on its policies and programs, noting that citizens must be well-informed about government initiatives, implementation timelines, and measurable outcomes.

A major highlight of the summit was the intervention by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, alongside the Ministers of Health, Power, and Marine & Blue Economy. Each minister delivered detailed presentations on their ministries’ achievements, rekindling public confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Hon. Shakiru Wusu Ajiyon, The Progressives Group commended the intellectual depth and participatory nature of the summit, describing it as a practical dialogue that went beyond mere rhetoric.

“The summit was not another talk shop; it provided a two-way communication platform where government representatives and stakeholders exchanged ideas on development, democracy, and nation-building,” the statement read.

The group noted that plans were underway to institutionalize the South-West Summit as an annual event to ensure sustained dialogue between citizens and government. Sector-specific working groups would also be created to provide continuous input on policy formulation and implementation.

Quoting Chief Bisi Akande’s remarks during the event, Ajiyon stated: “We support President Tinubu not only because he is our own but because he is the one with the courage to make change happen and take tough decisions.”

The Progressives Group pledged to partner with the summit organizers to drive sustained growth and development across the South-West region, adding that it would soon submit a position paper to the DAWN Commission, which serves as the technical secretariat for the summit.

“Long live DAWN Commission, long live the South-West region, and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.