Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are currently convening at the forum’s secretariat in Abuja.
This meeting follows a closed-door session held with the National Council of Traditional Rulers at the presidential villa, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing pressing national matters.
The engagement between the governors and traditional leaders underscores the importance of unity in tackling issues that affect local governance and national development.
The agenda for the gathering, expected to be attended by all 36 state governors, focuses on several critical issues.
Among the key topics are local government autonomy, updates from the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and the reconciliation of royalties accounts.
These discussions are vital as they aim to enhance governance structures and ensure that local governments have the autonomy needed to operate effectively.
In addition to these topics, the governors are set to receive briefings from notable figures, including the Director General of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi; the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo.
These briefings will provide valuable insights into security, petroleum management, and other essential areas relevant to state governance.
The NGF meeting is viewed as a precursor to the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, where the governors will further discuss pressing matters such as local government autonomy, the excess crude account, and petroleum profit tax.
This continuity in discussions highlights the governors’ commitment to addressing fiscal policies that significantly impact their states and the nation at large.
Beginning late Wednesday night, the meeting saw state executives arriving around 9 p.m. According to the agenda at the NGF Secretariat in Maitama, the governors are scheduled to converge by 9 p.m.
The agenda reads, “The forum chaired by Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq is expected to hear presentations from the Acting Director General of the Department of State Security, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi; former Vice President and Chair of Delegation at the African Medical Excellence Center, Namadi Sambo; and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Mele Kyari.”
The key topics on the meeting’s agenda include updates on the United Nations General Assembly, ECA, reconciliation of PPT and royalties accounts/debt net-off, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s state billings for ground rent.
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The contents of the agenda read, “Chairman’s Welcome Remarks; Minutes of the Last Meeting; Matters Arising/Chairman’s Briefs: United Nations General Assembly – Update; ECA, PPT & Royalties Accounts – Reconciliation/Debt Net-Off – Update; NGF Legal Cases – Update; Leveraging $825M to Improve Nigeria’s Agri-Food Sector; Update by NGF Secretariat – Ag.
Director General; Presentations by H.E. Namadi Sambo (former Vice-President) -Chair of Delegation, African Medical Excellence Center; Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi – DG Department of State Security; Engr. Mele Kyari – GCEO NNPC Ltd; Lami Chinade – Office of the National Security Adviser; A.O.B, and Communique.”
As the governors engage in these discussions at the NGF secretariat, the outcomes of this meeting are anticipated to shape policies affecting local governance, financial management, and overall national development.
The collaboration among state leaders is crucial for addressing the challenges facing the country and fostering effective governance. The decisions made in this forum will likely have lasting implications for the states and the country as a whole.
