By Oluseye Ojo
The six governors of Nigeria’s South West states have received widespread praise for their strategic initiative to create a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team aimed at enhancing security across the region.
This commendation came from the influential pan-Yoruba organization, Afenifere, through a statement made by their National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, on Friday.
The governors—Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, and Abiodun Oyebamiji of Ekiti—gathered at the Lagos State Secretariat in Ikeja on Thursday. During this productive meeting, they not only set plans in motion for the surveillance team but also discussed initiatives to address the rising cost of food in the region.
Afenifere described the establishment of the Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team as a timely and impactful decision. The organization emphasized that there is already a framework in place, referencing the South West Security Network, more commonly known as ‘Amotekun’. This community-driven initiative is already operational in five of the six states, with Lagos being the exception. Afenifere encourages swift action to not only establish Amotekun in Lagos but also to enhance the operations of the existing security bodies across the region, with appropriate resources and incentives for personnel to ensure their effectiveness.
On the issue of food prices, the governors have recognized the need for a collective strategy to combat food inflation. Afenifere has advised that a focus on boosting local agricultural production is crucial. “When food is abundant, sellers will be compelled to lower prices,” the organization noted. They also suggested that the establishment of designated marketplaces could facilitate easier access for consumers to locally produced food, similar to initiatives already underway in Lagos State.
It is clear that while controlling prices is an essential measure, ensuring a robust supply of commodities is equally important. Without increasing production, efforts to stabilize prices might fall short. The collaboration among these governors represents a proactive approach to addressing both security and economic challenges in the South West region of Nigeria.
