The Nigeria Governors Forum is to hold its 14th Teleconference on Wednesday with the worsening security situation taking the centre stage.
This was announced by the Secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Chairman of the NGF, who is also the Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, had in a previous statement, on Monday, expressed the forum’s concern over the worsening security situation in the country.
Specifically, he said the attack on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum by suspected terrorists in Baga, Borno State, was evidence that everyone was vulnerable.
A separate statement titled, “14th NGF Teleconference”, signed by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, on Tuesday, says the NGF will hold an online meeting on Wednesday to discuss the issue.
It read in part, “The rapidly degenerating security situation in the country will feature very prominently when governors meet tomorrow for their 14th NGF Teleconference meeting, according to the invitation sent out to governors by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru.
“Not unexpectedly, in line with the security and policing swamp that the country has found itself, the attack on Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum will be tabled for discussion just as the state governors will also preview a webinar which comes up on the 11 of August, driven through a partnership of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the Centre for Value in Leadership, CVL, led by Professor Pat Utomi.”
Bello-Barkindo explained that one of such webinars took place last month where the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo- x-rayed Insecurity and the challenges of Governance and Leadership in the New Normal, as it affects his state.
According to the statement, Wednesday’s meeting will commence at 2 pm prompt but the virtual platform will be open to join an hour earlier.
Other issues to be discussed include the flag-off and launch of the distribution of palliatives by the Coalition Against COVID19, CACOVID, (populated by the likes of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Access Bank along with other well-meaning philanthropists) in the states.
Also on the agenda will be the thorny issue of yet-to-be-accessed funds at UBEC as well as a review of the resumption of schools and its roll-out plan.
Other issues affecting the economic well-being of states will also be discussed.
On the COVID-19 pandemic response, the forum is to receive briefings from the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Committee of the NGF which interfaces with the Presidential Task Force on the Pandemic will brief the governors on progress so far before the governors discuss the economy.
“Under this item, progress on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability program SFTAS will be thrashed. There will also be updates on the restructuring of states’ loans,” Bello-Barkindo added.
By John Alechenu,
The Punch