DAWN commission celebrates Fayemi at 60, commends his commitment to promoting regional integration

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has congratulated Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state, on his 60th birthday.

Seye Oyeleye, the director general of DAWN, said Fayemi played an instrumental role in the establishment of the commission.

Speaking at a roundtable in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, to mark Fayemi’s birthday, Oyeleye praised the former minister’s contributions to regional development, adding that his commitment to driving positive change is worthy of recognition.

Oyeleye said the DAWN commission, established as a policy and strategy hub for regional integration, will now serve as a think tank for the newly established Southwest Development Commission (SWDC).

“This conference is a recognition of Dr Fayemi’s commitment to regional integration and his role in setting up the DAWN Commission, which will now help guide SWDC strategy. Unfortunately, we live in a society where we celebrate the wrong and overlook the right,” he said.

“Dr Fayemi, a two-term governor of Ekiti state and a founding member of the Afenifere Renewal Group, has long championed policies aimed at advancing regional development.

“His tenure as minister of solid minerals also saw significant reforms in the sector, further reinforcing his legacy in national development.”

On his part, Fayemi expressed satisfaction with the renewed commitment to regional collaboration and called for sustained dialogue and partnerships in addressing shared challenges.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond competition and focus on collective progress.

“True development is only possible when we work together with a common purpose,” Fayemi said.