Vice President Kashim Shettima Wednesday in Abuja challenged the management of the South West Development Commission,SWDC, to back President Bola Tinubu’s vision in establishing regional development commissions with innovation, effective collaboration and integrity in the discharge of their mandate.
Speaking when he received the management of the SWDC, led by its board chairman, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Shettima noted that the “Renewed Hope Agenda is about translating policy into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.”
He said the vision behind Tinubu’s creation of new regional development commissions is to further unlock and harness the unique strengths and opportunities in the various regions for Nigeria’s collective prosperity.
He commended President Tinubu for such foresight and directional leadership.
Recalling the mandate of the commission, Senator Shettima said, “The South West region, with its history of enterprise, innovation, education and industry, has a pivotal role to play in Nigeria’s development journey.
“Your commission must be known for delivery, not bureaucracy. Nigerians will measure your success by the quality of roads built, jobs created, businesses supported, and communities transformed.”
The vice president pointed out that collaboration was also key in the realisation of the mandate of the SWDC and the improvement of the livelihood of the people.
“Across the world, successful regions are those that invest in innovation, human capital, technology and regional integration.
“The South-West is well-positioned to lead Nigeria in these areas. I encourage you to work closely with the state governments across the south west, traditional institutions, the private sector and development partners.
“Development succeeds when institutions collaborate, not compete. Peer review is very important. I urge you to reach out to the other regional development commissions and share ideas that will transform the fortunes of our various regions,” Shettima said.
On the selection and execution of projects and programmes across communities in the region, he said “every project must be transparent, measurable and capable of attracting private investment. Our job as government is to create the enabling environment for investments to thrive.”
The Vice President urged the commission and other regional development bodies to be guided by integrity, innovation and results, restating the federal government’s support for every genuine effort that advances regional development and national prosperity.
Earlier, the chairman of the commission’s board, Senator Adetunmbi, commended the Tinubu administration, noting with admiration the government’s economic and structural reforms that culminated in the creation of the regional development commissions, among other benefits.
Senator Adetunmbi briefed the Vice President on the proposed roadmap for the commission’s interventions in infrastructure, human capital development and related projects across the region, stating its plans to conduct a robust baseline study to properly guide the commission’s programmes.
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