By Milcah Tanimu
In a media briefing held on Thursday morning, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) expressed empathy for the economic challenges faced by Nigerians while voicing optimism about the potential benefits of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, shared the governors’ sentiments after their meeting in Abuja. He acknowledged that the removal of the fuel subsidy has intensified economic difficulties, with rising petroleum prices increasing the costs of goods and services, making it harder for many to afford necessities.
Led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors are hopeful that recent discussions with the Acting Director General of the Department of State Security, Adeola Ajayi, and the National Security Adviser will enhance security collaboration among states.
Uzodinma stated, “We also met with Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, who provided an update on the complete subsidy removal, the challenges the corporation faces, and plans to alleviate the suffering caused by rising fuel prices. We empathize with our people and acknowledge the hardship across the country. We appreciate the President’s ongoing reforms and hope that relief is forthcoming so we can fully realize the benefits and work toward a better Nigeria.”
The governor urged NNPC and relevant stakeholders to focus on repairing the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries to boost local production and lower petrol prices.
He added, “The Forum received an update from the Group CEO of NNPC Limited on key developments, including the National Crude and Condensate Production profile, the Production War Room initiative, and measures to combat illegal connections and vandalism. The governors recognized the importance of these actions in securing Nigeria’s energy resources and improving NNPC’s production and supply chain efficiency.”
During the meeting, the governors were also informed about the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), a proposed 500-bed facility aimed at providing high-quality care in oncology, cardiovascular, and haematological services. Recognizing the potential of the AMCE to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system, they reiterated their commitment to supporting such specialized facilities.
Uzodinma expressed confidence that strategic planning could help make the cost of living and doing business more manageable. He emphasized that all 36 state governors are dedicated to supporting President Tinubu’s administration in safeguarding the interests of all Nigerians.
He continued, “The Forum received a presentation from the new Director General of the Department of State Security regarding the current security challenges in Nigeria and ongoing initiatives to address them. The Director General highlighted recent inter-agency collaborations and stronger enforcement measures to combat illegal activities and sought the governors’ support for these efforts. The governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating on national security.”
The Forum also welcomed insights from the Pioneer Director of State Liaison in the Office of the National Security Adviser, who discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration and communication among states. The Director outlined plans to enhance state-level security efforts and promote a unified approach to addressing national security challenges, which the governors recognized as essential and committed to engaging with.
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