President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received praise from Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, for creating the South West Development Commission (SWDC).
Additionally, he commended him for selecting individuals with excellent moral integrity to oversee the commission’s operations for the allotted period.
The Ooni, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), praised the President for appointing Charles “Diji Akinola” as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SWDC, calling it a historic turning point in the region’s development and a visionary decision.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Otunba Moses Olafare, Director of Media and Public Affairs at Ooni’s Palace, the king characterized Akinola as a remarkable technocrat with a distinguished background and a strong dedication to regional and national development. .
The statement read,“Ooni Ogunwusi equally commends the President on the excellent choice of Senator Olu Adetunmbi, a development expert, as the chairman and other members of the Board, including a distinguished Ife daughter, Princess Nike Omoworare, Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, Olumuyiwa Olabimtan, Adewinle Martins, Ibrahim Olaifa, Kabiru Lakwaya, Abdul Adamu a retired general, Arinola Fagbemi, Ukoha Onyekwere, Howell Ihenacho, Olugbenga Olufehinti, Tele Ogunjobi, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Fatai Ibikunle and Lateef Ajijola saying all the appointees are round pegs for the round holes.”
The Ooni praised the appointment of two distinguished Osun State residents, Mrs. Nike Omoworare and Charles Akindiji Akinola, to executive positions within the recently established commission. Akinola was described as a seasoned development specialist with remarkable public service experience, having previously served as the governor of Osun State’s chief of staff.
However, he suggested that the MD let his vast background in rural enterprise development, public-private partnerships, and international development cooperation roles speak for him in order to guide the Commission in tackling the socioeconomic and infrastructure issues facing the South West. President Tinubu’s dedication to inclusive governance and the advancement of the South-West region is reflected in the appointments, the Ooni emphasized.
He was certain that the SWDC’s leadership will put up great effort to carry out its purpose, which includes addressing security gaps, ecological issues, infrastructure deficiencies, and advancing sustainable development in the area. The king also exhorted them to tackle their new duties with honesty, commitment, and a focus on providing real advantages to the South-West’s citizens.
Assuring all South Westerners that Dr. Akinola and his team will approach their new responsibilities with integrity, dedication, and a focus on providing tangible benefits to the people of the South West, the statement also calls on all stakeholders, including traditional institutions, state governments, and civil society organizations, to support the SWDC in its mission to turn the region into a center of economic prosperity and cultural renaissance. Ooni Ogunwusi, the Permanent Chairman, Osun State Council of Obas and chiefs.
Tinubu gave his approval to the South-South and South-West Development Commission Bills in March 2025.
In a statement, Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, said that Tinubu’s dedication to inclusive governance, equitable advancement, and Nigeria’s rise as a global powerhouse was reflected in the legislation.
Appointees to head the South West, North Central, and South South development commissions were formally requested by the President to be confirmed by the Senate on May 8.
Tinubu nominated a total of 55 people for the three commissions in a letter to the Senate.
In the South West Development Commission, 18 appointees were nominated by the President, including Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi as Chairman and Charles Akinola as Managing Director.
