From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna
The Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday rose from a meeting in Kaduna, agreeing on a restructuring to make the forum more effective by providing a platform for good governance, better understanding and cooperation among members.
The governors had been expected to elect a new chairman to replace Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger state but that did not happen.
According to the communiqué of the meeting, “the forum has approved a new structure for the forum with effect from May 2013.There shall be a Chairman and Vice Chairmen (two positions), both shall hold office for two years upon election by members only”.
The governors, however, cautioned eminent Nigerians against making what they described as “inflammatory statements capable of affecting the fragile unity and security” of the country.
“We must be concerned about the unity and development of the country in all ramifications,” said the communiqué signed by the NSGF Chairman, Dr. Aliyu.
It pledged to intensify efforts at finding lasting solutions to the “alarming security situation” in the North.
“Chairman for the committee on agriculture, the Governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shema, presented the report of the committee with far reaching recommendations on ways of repositioning the sector in the region.
“The forum noted the report with delight and resolved to pay special attention to the development of the agricultural sector and its value chain and explore areas of comparative advantage”, the communiqué read.
“It further expanded the committee to address the issues of implementation of the recommendations highlighted in the report and also charged it with the responsibility of articulating a proposal on organizing an international agricultural summit.”
On the new Nigerian Newspapers, the communiqué stated that a committee chaired by the Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Magatakarda Wamakko, presented a report in which it highlighted the problems besieging operations of the company.
“After extensive deliberations, the forum resolved to follow up with the Federal Government on the progress about settlement of the outstanding liabilities within the shortest possible time and state governments that are yet to redeem their pledges to the company do so”, said the communiqué.
It added that “a report on the current situation of the KTL (Kaduna Textile Limited)was presented to the forum by Chairman of the committee, the Executive Governor of Kwara state. The report dwelt on resuscitating the company.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Aliyu had noted that the governors deliberated on the security situation in the North during their last meeting and said that “it is most unfortunate that the situation has not abetted, rather it is worsening and attaining very alarming dimensions with attendant negative implications for the economic growth and development of our nation and indeed our national image.
“We are passing through a very difficult phase in the history of our nation, a period that puts our patriotism, nationalism, sincerity and responsibility collectively to test”, he said.
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