Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose on Tuesday lauded his counterpart in Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode for his innovative Human Resources and Capital Infrastructural projects across the landscape of Lagos State but urged him to replicate same in terms of leading the economic growth and development of the south west region.
Fayose, who spoke at the opening session of a two-day summit of the Western Nigeria Governors Forum held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, said though Governor Ambode had done commendably well in championing south west integration, he must, however, do more for the comfort and well-being of the Yoruba nation.
“As much as we want restructuring; we want true federalism; I am committed to it but talking about Nigeria, the west has potentials; we have the capacity to develop this country and with Lagos on the driver’s seat, we can save the whole of this country.
“The states of the south west are looking up to Governor Ambode. As Governor of Ekiti, I barely get allocation that pays my salary but when we look at Lagos being in the south west, we are consoled and Lagos can make the whole of the south west comfortable but we will continue to come to Lagos if you don’t do something about it.
“We need Governor Ambode to lead south west growth and if we are able to achieve this, in another ten years, the issue will no longer be restructuring because people will begin to look at what is happening in the west,” Fayose said.
Fayose specifically eulogized Governor Ambode’s attitude, character, person and above all, commendable achievements in office so far, saying some of the innovative transformation already implemented in Lagos by the present administration were being replicated in Ekiti.
He said: “The little Governor Ambode has done within this timeframe is so encouraging. I told the Governor one day when I was building my bridge in Ekiti that I was passing through some of his projects in Lagos and I added what I saw to my own; some of them I copied in the night.
“When your brother is doing well, celebrate him. The problem in Nigeria is that evil is celebrated more than truth. I am openly acknowledging you and that is me. I don’t care, when I am with you, I celebrate you openly.
“There are some lights I saw on the bridge in Lagos; I went there in the night, I studied everything and as we speak, someone is on his way out of the country to get them for me to use for our projects,” Fayose said.
Aside Governors Ambode and Fayose, the summit with the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy of Regional Integration,” was attended by Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), while Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) was represented by his deputy, Yetunde Onanuga.