Minimum wage: We’re awaiting outcome of FG, Labour negotiation — S’West govs

•Elect Sanwo-Olu new chairman

•Condemn agitation for Yoruba Nation, okay state police, others 

lagos—South-West Governors’ Forum has said it is awaiting the final outcome of the on-going negotiation between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour, in order to arrive at a decision on minimum wage.

The Forum, which comprises six governors of the South-West geo-political zone, met in Lagos, yesterday, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja office of the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the meeting.

In attendance at the close-door meeting were Governor Sanwo-Olu,  Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).

Briefing the state House Correspondents after the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the governors elected him as the new chairman of the Forum, succeeding the late ex-Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Sanwo-Olu, while, reading out communique issued at the end of the meeting, said that the governors are awaiting the final outcome on the on-going negotiation between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour to arrive at a decision.

The 11-point communique reads: "The South West Governors’ Forum at its meeting of today, Monday, 10th June, 2024 held in the Governor’s Office, Ikeja Lagos State deliberated extensively on the state of the South West States and further resolved as follows:

"The Forum unanimously nominated and adopted the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as its Chairman.

"The Forum paid its last respects to its late Chairman of the South West Governors' Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and also congratulated the new Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, also for winning the All Progressives Congress’s (APC’s) Governorship ticket for the next election.

"The Governors adopted Ise wa fun ile wa as South West Anthem. The meeting commends the House of Representatives and South West Caucus for their efforts at passing the South West Development Commission Bill and looks forward to its speedy passage by the Senate.

"The meeting commends Mr. President, Bola Tinubu on the groundbreaking of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the proposed Lagos to Sokoto road and encourages the Federal Government to rehabilitate other Federal roads in the region.

"On security, the Forum commends the relative peace in the South West region and notes the collaboration between all security agencies and the Amotekun Corps. It reaffirms its full support for State Police.

"On food security, the Forum acknowledges the efforts of the Federal Government and decides that the Commissioners for Agriculture of all the States should begin to meet and set up a working template, which will ensure collaboration based on each State’s comparative advantage.

"On mnimum wage, the forum supports the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Organised Private Sector on their ongoing conversations with the Labour Union. We believe the outcome will reflect true fiscal federalism.

"The Forum also encourages Federal Government’s efforts on mineral resources exploitation. There should be further collaboration between the Federal Government and States, especially in granting leases to investors.

"The Forum condemns in strong terms the group of people agitating for Yoruba nation.

"The Forum agrees to strengthen the DAWN Commission on operational efficiency and charges the Commission to focus on economic integration, cooperation and investment promotion of South West States. To that end, each State is mandated to appoint a State focal person."