The newly built Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum secretariat has been commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, 29 September. The secretariat was inspected and commissioned in the presence of some Nigerian governors and the former chairperson of the governor’s forum.
At the commissioning, the outgoing chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, noted that the secretariat complex was made possible by former heads of the forum who planned and set the agenda into motion.
“This project is one that predates my assumption of office as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in 2019. It also extends beyond my individual contribution as a member; hence, I must recognize the efforts of my colleagues and predecessors in ensuring the completion of this edifice befitting our Secretariat.
“Nonetheless, we forged ahead and embraced teleconferencing while we accelerated work on finishing this new complex. I am sure by the time we tour the new conference room; you will agree that its befitting of any circumstance or occasion that may arise in the future. The Secretariat currently accommodates a number of professionals working across sectors, development programmes, projects and initiatives focused on advancing reforms aimed at enhancing subnational development. Facilities like our training room have benefitted at least 4,000 of our state officials via training courses, peer learning events, and reform dialogues conducted by the Forum’s Secretariat.
“Today the Forum enjoys both national and international recognition for being a formidable platform in advancing good governance. We are committed to changing the narrative of business as usual and delivering better governance through far-reaching resolutions we take collectively as a Forum in the interest of our people,” he added.
The pioneer chairman of the forum, and former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbenedion, appreciated the forum for adopting the spirit of continuity.
“I want to thank all the Governors here for lifting the banner and I thank the Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for making this commissioning a reality,” he said
Also, the former chairman and ex-governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, commended the peace and unity in the forum.
“What we are doing, truly we have shown that the forum has continued to grow, and especially in our trying time, we have shown that human capacity building particularly in it can only be driven through the state.”
By Chioma Eche,
VON