Nigerian governors set to converge on Abuja over economic, security challenges
The 36 state Governors in Nigeria among other relevant stakeholders will on the 17th of August converge in Abuja to discuss ways of addressing the worsening state of the economy and insecurity bedeviling the country.
According to a statement issued by the spokesman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the meeting will be the first of such in-person gatherings of NGF members since the outbreak of COVID-19.
The statement reads in part: “The state of the economy will dominate the conversation when the 36 governors meet on Wednesday, 17th August 2022 at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Worried by the economic woes that the citizenry has been complaining about and the hardship associated with it, several governors reasoned that it is high time to tell each other the bare truth by confronting each other on the situation and brainstorming on it.
“This formed the basis for resorting to an in-person meeting which since the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic been relegated by the states’ executives.
“Two things will feature prominently in the conversation: the economy and security.
“This will be the first time in the year, contrary to media reports that Governors had collectively advised the president on the removal of fifty-year-olds from the federal civil service and other spurious suggestions meant to impose further hardship on the people, that governors will collectively meet to consider a total overhaul of the nation’s economy.
“The meeting which, according to the invitation issued by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru, will commence at 2 pm with the launch of the Primary HealthCare Leadership Challenge Fund, followed by the launch of the World Bank SFTAS charter before the real conversation on the state of the economy begins.
“There will also be such regular updates as the CARES program and the Chairman’s remarks. All governors are warmly welcome”, the statement concluded.
