Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum and member of the Afenifere Elders’ Caucus, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu; and governance expert, Dr. Ayo Awoyemi, are among the leading speakers at the forthcoming South-West Stakeholders Dialogue scheduled to hold in Akure, Ondo State.
According to a Sunday statement, the two-day regional forum, with the theme, ‘Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future,’ will take place from October 29 to 30, 2025, at the International Conference Centre (The Dome), Akure.
Convened by the leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the dialogue is designed as a citizen–government interactive town hall session that will bring together ministers, senior Federal Government officials, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and other stakeholders from across the six South-West states.
“Afe Babalola will deliver a special address on ‘Appraising Democracy and Leadership in Contemporary Nigeria,’ setting the tone for reflections on governance and institutional performance in the country.
“Archbishop Ladigbolu will deliver a Special Address, while Dr. Awoyemi is billed to present the Keynote Address, both expected to provide thought-provoking perspectives on strengthening democratic governance and regional cooperation,” the statement said.
The dialogue will be hosted by the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with co-hosts including Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Expected participants include current and former political leaders, professional associations, youth and women’s groups, civil society organisations, business leaders, and traditional institutions.
“Discussions will focus on democratic consolidation, regional collaboration, and the impact of federal policies on the South-West.
“Programme highlights include the South-West Stakeholders Confab, a South-West Governors’ Forum session on ‘Regional Collaboration: Impact of Federal Government Reforms, Policies, and Programmes on South-West States,’ and a series of thematic engagement sessions aimed at defining a common development agenda for the region,” it added.
Organised in partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission, the forum seeks to foster cooperation among governments, institutions, and citizens in building a more inclusive, accountable, and prosperous Southwest.
The PUNCH reports that the Ondo summit comes months after South-West governors in February agreed to set up a joint security outfit to tackle insecurity in the region.
They also resolved to establish joint food hubs to address food inflation and associated challenges to engender security in the region.
Credit: punchng.com
