Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) will on Thursday, launch its maiden Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative.
The event which is scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja was aimed at tackling insecurity, conflict and violence which has become a daily activity by bandits and terrorists all around the country.
According to the Organisers, the forum is expected to hold “a regular interactive platform will hold as soon as the launch is over.
“The collaborative peacekeeping initiative will provide a platform for sharing experiences on government, civil society initiatives testing practicable ideas and pushing for the implementation of innovative solutions to conflict and insecurity.
“The panel comprises of Governors, Heads of Security and other eminent persons who can influence policy at the highest levels and who might have contributed significantly in promoting national peace and security,” the statement read in part.
Expected at the event are the former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar who doubles as the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, the Humanitarian Disaster Management and Social Development minister, Sadiya Umar Farouk among many other guests.
Other are Professor Abiodun Alao of the African Studies Kings College London and the Director of the African Security Leadership Centre, Mr Nnamdi Obasi, Snr Adviser on Nigeria International Crisis Group, Professor Issac Mbachu of Political Science and Defence Studies, former Head of Political Science and Defence Studies, Nigerian defence Academy (NDA).
The NGF Director-General, Mr Ashishana Okaru is to give the welcome address.
The governors expected include: NGF Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governors of Borno State, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Plateau and Nassarawa State.
There will also be a Technical Steering Committee. This will be the technical organ responsible for implementing the decisions and directions of the Panel to be steered by the NGF Secretariat, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Office of the Secretary to the Government, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the National Orientation Agency, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the Ministry of Interior, related Ministries, departments and agencies at the state level, security agencies and military operations deployed in relevant states, donors, international organisations and civil societies.
The objectives of the meeting include having agenda-setting on peace and stability especially at the sub-national levels.
It would support decision-making on security at the national level through the National Economic Council. It will help in identifying the drivers of insecurity at all state levels and stimulate a collaborative response by stakeholders.
There would be high-level advocacy for peace and inclusive security among Governors and Government institutions at Federal and State levels.
The initiative would also promote networking and synergy amongst state and non-state actors to enhance peace and inclusive security.
By Kehinde Akintola,
Nigerian Tribune