In a significant move to bolster regional development efforts, the Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL) and Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission held a high-level meeting yesterday at OICL’s headquarters.
The meeting, which brought together OICL’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, and DAWN Commission’s Director-General, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, and their respective leadership teams, focused on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities for Southwest Nigeria’s development.
A major highlight of the discussions was the upcoming 60th anniversary celebration of the iconic Cocoa House, a symbol of the region’s progressive heritage and economic prowess. Both leaders emphasised the landmark’s significance in showcasing the Southwest as a centre of groundbreaking leadership and ambitious innovation.
During the meeting, Oyeleye highlighted OICL’s crucial role in the region’s economic development. “We look up to OICL as the engine that drives economic progress of the Southwest region,” he stated. “This is because it can afford the luxury of long-term planning, which could be difficult in Nigeria’s short-term political tenure system.”
Mr. Yinusa emphasised the importance of regional integration as a development model. “Regional integration and development is a fantastic development model for the Southwest, and we must propagate it and work together to ensure the model works for other regions of Nigeria,” he said. He warned that failure to achieve this could lead to challenges in managing net migration.
Both organisations, which share the six Southwest governors as principals, also pledged their support for the smooth takeoff of the Southwest Development Commission, pending necessary approvals.
The partnership between DAWN Commission and OICL is particularly significant given their shared heritage from Western Nigeria’s First Republic and their common goal of sustainable regional development. The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to advancing positive outcomes for Southwest Nigeria’s people.