Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti state emerged as the new chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The Governor of Zamfara state, Abdul’aziz Yari, who is also the outgoing chairman of the forum disclosed that Fayemi was nominated by Malam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, seconded by the Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa and unanimously elected by the governors to lead the forum till 2021.
Yari added that the Members also elected the Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambwal as the vice Chairman of the forum.
The Zamfara state governor explained that Tambuwal was nominated by Akinwumi Ambode, the governor of Lagos State and seconded by his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu.
Reading a communiqué at the end of the meeting, Yari said that the forum was concerned with the recent guidelines of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
He revealed that the guidelines will be detrimental to the interest of States and local governments by crippling programmes such as the Universal Basic Education programme, Primary Health Care Under One Roof, as well as the payment of the salaries of teachers, medical doctor and health workers among others which are primarily funded by state governments.
Fayemi expressed his gratitude for the confidence reposed on him by colleagues and pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors and success stories of the forum.
He added that they would represent the interest of Nigeria irrespective of their political affiliations.
He commended the outgoing chairman and the secretariat for their commitment to states and Nigeria at large.
(NAN)