Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday received the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi on courtesy visit, vowing his commitment to the economic growth and promotion of the traditional values and culture of the Yoruba nation.
Mr Ambode also unveiled plans by his administration to integrate the six states in the south west region to the food security drive of the Lagos State Government especially in addressing the demand and supply deficit for the overall benefit of the people.
The governor recalled that in the last one year, the state government joined the Oodua Investment Group in addition to the acquisition of land in Ogun and Oyo states for agricultural purposes, saying that government would scale up the economic integration of the south west states as well as the cultural heritage of the region.
While commending the Ooni for his achievements in office so far, Ambode said the visit to Lagos was historic in the annals of his administration coming barely few weeks after the first anniversary of the coronation of the monarch.
“One year after, it has become very evident that everything and every step that Ooni has taken have been for the positive good of the Yoruba nation,” Ambode said.
“The Ooni represents the cohesion that we are looking for in Yoruba land and for that reason, we will do everything to continue to ensure that this government support the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
“We are glad to note that within the last one year also, Lagos State has been able to join the Oodua Investment Group as part shareholders of that economic vehicle that we will use to power the economic integration of the south-western states.
“We want to assure your majesty that what you stand for is what this government also stand for.”
The governor said Lagos, as a cosmopolitan state and the economic hub of the Yoruba people in terms of commerce, must be at the vanguard of promoting commerce in the region, assuring that his administration would vigorously pursue such to the benefit of the people.
Earlier, Oba Ogunwusi said he was at the Lagos House to identify with the developmental achievements of Ambode and to seek ways of partnership especially in the area of food security.
He said since assuming office, Ambode has kept all his promises to the people and the result has been the transformation of the state, adding that the governor has indeed taken Lagos to the next level.
