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Category: Governance

  • Only 25 States Have Passed The Fiscal Responsibility Law – NGF 

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has disclosed that less than 25 states in the country have passed the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

    It also said that 30 state have passed the Debt Management law.

    The Director-General, NGF, Mr Asishana Okauru, said this while delivering a goodwill message at the Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s (FRCs) Stakeholders Dialogue on Implementation of Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) in Lagos.

    Okauru, represented by Mr Olanrewaju Ajogbasile, Senior Programme Manager, NGF, said that states were also domesticating core principles of the FRA, regarding fiscal planning and management.

    He revealed that 15 states recorded an average monthly debt service that was less than 40 per cent of gross Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for 2021 financial year and total debt stock at the end of December 2021.

    According to him, although section 45 of the FRA is the premise of the deliberation, all sections of the Act or state’s FRL’s, are reinforcing of each other in terms of delivering fiscal sustainability across the tiers of government.

    “Unfortunately, certain flexibilities and a weak consequence system, renders full compliance a choice.

    “Likewise, fiscal planning has largely remained unrealistic due to paucity of requisite data, low Own Source Revenue (OSR), increase in permanent and development expenditures.

    “As well as the susceptibility to volatiles in FAAC, crude oil, inflation rate and exchange rate parameters, among others,” he said.

    According to him, the NGF Secretariat will continue to advocate as good practice the tenets and provision of the Act through its engagements, initiatives and discourse around fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability.

    In a keynote address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume, said that the dialogue was organised to promote the need for subnational to borrow through the right channels and for the right reasons.

    Akume, represented by Dr David Eze, Assistant Director, Finance and Account, OSGF, stated that the commission must adhere to laid down rules that ensure that government officials at all levels do not abuse the process of borrowing.

    He noted that governments across the world grow faster and better through very good and strong institutions, rules and regulations, hence the implementation of the FRA 2007 is worthwhile.

    The SGF stated that there was the need to urgently address some of the excesses and infractions of the FRA 2007, particularly with the banks.

    Akume also demanded for adequate machineries to effectively control and properly manage public resources, as public debt lowers the future generation’s well-being.

    He expressed worry that the private sector may be discouraged from investing in the states, if the government needs to service debt and also provide a satisfactory environment for investment in infrastructure.

    “Although, it is believed that the efficiency and equity benefit of borrowing by subnational government outweighs associated macroeconomic risk, factors such as lack of institutional capacity.

    “Also, quest to control subnational government impulse in running excessive deficit and the need to take their fiscal excesses in the area of borrowing cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

    According to him, systemic subnational insolvency may impede the growth of the capital market, deter fiscal space for infrastructure investment, threaten financial stability and core public services.

    Akume said that might create pressure on the Federal Government to provide financial assistance to ensure a continued provision of essential public services.

    The SGF insisted that a disciplined borrowing processes was needed to avoid the potential long-term consequences of subnational borrowings of fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic stability.

    He stated that FRA 2007 was enacted to ensure the coordination of the national economy policy between various tiers of government.

    The SGF expressed that the ACT also enables the monitoring of agencies that were off budget, but whose activities had significant impact on fiscal policies.

    He lauded FRC for organising the meeting at a time when the Nigeria economy is faced with key challenges.

    Akume said that the country needed to develop strategy on how to structurally reform the economy, move labour and economic resources from low productivity to high productivity sector.

    “The dialogue is justified, as the government is damning to get things right from the beginning to avoid mistakes that have dragged the nation into huge domestic and foreign debt.

    “Accordingly, this particular direction is to ensure that the nation follows the laid down rules and regulations, in order to ensure prudence, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and also to depart from such practices that have left so much debt for successive government,”: he said.

    Earlier, the Executive Chairman, FRC, Mr Victor Muruako, said that banks and financial institutions in the country must ensure that their lending practices consistently comply with provisions of the FRA.

     Muruako, a lawyer, said that to eliminate ambiguity, Section 45 (1) of the FRA, all banks and financial institutions shall request and obtain Proof of Compliance with the provision of the Act before lending to any government in the federation.

    Stakeholders at the dialogue include the representatives of NGF, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Chief Compliance (NIDC) Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Legal Officers and Chief Executive Officers of banks, among others.

  • Gov Bago pardons 80 inmates to mark June 12

    Gov Bago pardons 80 inmates to mark June 12

    Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has pardoned 80 inmates in various correctional centres in the state to commemorate the 2023 Democracy Day.

    The governor also approved the immediate payment of their fines, to enable the inmates to rejoin their families.

    A statement by Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in Minna on Monday, said that the gesture was to mark the 2023 Democracy Day.

    He explained that the release of the inmates was in line with the power of prerogative of mercy granted to the governor by the Constitution.

    Usman said that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy recommended the release of the 80 inmates based on old age, ill health and good behaviour.

    Usman appealed to the inmates to make use of the opportunity to engage in useful ventures and shun any act that could lead them back to prison.

    He also admonished them to be law-abiding and engage in legitimate endeavours by taking advantage of various empowerment windows.

    The SSG called on the people of the state to use the period to reflect on their roles in peace building and support for good governance.

    He also enjoined them to support programmes and policies of the administration designed to bring rapid development to the state.

    Usman reassured that government would ensure that dividends of democracy were felt in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He urged people of the state not to allow despondency to replace hope, adding that they should renew their commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and imbibing tolerance, patriotism and discipline.

    The SSG said the government was very concerned about the security challenges in the state and fully prepared to tackle the situation.

  • Democracy still best option for development- Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has warned against truncating or abridging of democracy through unnecessary illegal orders, saying democracy remains the best option for development.

    In a broadcast to the nation on the occasion of the Democracy Day celebration on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu said that only the rule of law and a vibrant judiciary would ensure justice and strong institutions.

    He said that the democratic system was already taking a firm grip on Nigeria’s political landscape with the outcome of the 2023 elections and the resort to the court by aggrieved parties.

    “That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land.

    “It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed.

    ‘’But the beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections.

    ‘’Those who cannot endure and accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when it is their turn to triumph.

    ‘’Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court,’’ he said.

    The president said that such actions by aggrieved persons or groups was a pointer that “democracy is still the best form of government invented by man’’.

    ‘’We have traversed the dark, thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the humiliation and degradation of tyranny.

    ‘’True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contests may be perceived by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and value,’’ he said.

    June 12 was declared a public holiday in Nigeria in recognition of the democratic sacrifices of Nigerians by outgone President, Muhammadu Buhari.

    The day is marked to celebrate the end of military rule in Nigeria and the beginning of uninterrupted civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence from colonialists in 1960

  • Abiola, Kudirat, Rewane, Yar’Adua gave their lives so we can enjoy today- Tinubu

    The choice of Nigerians to elect a civilian leader to transition from military rule was the seed that germinated into the longest democratic transition that the country is enjoying today, says President Bola Tinubu.

    The president stated this during his National Broadcast to mark the June 12 Democracy Day on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that this was largely due to MKO Abiola’s sacrifice to patriotically stand in defense of the ideals of democracy and forgo a life of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power.

    “For the endless future that our beloved country shall exist and wax stronger and stronger, generations of Nigerians will always remind themselves that the democracy that is steadily growing to become the defining essence of our polity was not gifted to us on a silver platter.

    “We can easily recall the sacrifice and martyrdom of Chief MKO Abiola, the custodian of the sacred mandate that was so cruelly annulled.

    “He sacrificed his life in unyielding, patriotic defense of the ideals of democracy as symbolized in his choice, by his fellow countrymen and women, as their duly-elected President.

    “There was an easier choice for him. It was to forgo the justice of his cause and opt for the path of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power. To his eternal credit and immortal glory, Abiola said no.

    “He demonstrated the time-tested eternal truth that there are certain ideals and principles that are far more valuable than life itself.’’

    Tinubu said the country also owed a debt of gratitude to other Pro-June 12 advocates that sacrificed their lives for the future of the people.

    “Everyday, on this day, down the ages we will recall the several other heroes of democracy such as Kudirat Abiola, wife of Chief Abiola, who was brutally murdered while in the trenches fighting on the side of the people.

    “We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, one of the heroes of our independence struggle and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who were silenced by the military junta while in pursuit of democracy. They gave their yesterday for the liberty that is ours today.

    “The point is that we must never take this democracy for granted. We must forever jealously guard and protect it like a precious jewel. For, a people can never truly appreciate the freedoms and rights democracy guarantees them until they lose it,’’ he said.

    Read full speech below:

    TEXT OF DEMOCRACY DAY NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON JUNE 12, 2023.

    Fellow Nigerians,

    2. It is exactly three decades today that Nigerians went to the polls to exercise their inalienable right to elect a President of their choice to lead the transition from military dictatorship to a representative government of the people.

    3. The abortion, by military fiat, of the decisive victory of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993, presidential election, up to that time, the fairest and freest election in the country’s political evolution, turned out, ironically, to be the seed that germinated into the prolonged struggle that gave birth to the democracy we currently enjoy since 1999.

    4. In rising to strongly oppose the arbitrary annulment of the will of the majority of Nigerians as expressed in that historic election, the substantial number of our people who participated in the struggle to de-annul the election signified their fierce commitment to enthroning democracy as a form of government that best ennobles the liberty, the dignity of the individual and the integrity as well as the stability of the polity. The fierce opposition to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the unrelenting pro-democracy onslaught it unleashed was the equivalent of the battle against colonial rule by our founding fathers that resulted in the gaining of Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

    5. Just like the anti-colonial movement, the pro-June 12 vanguard demonstrated, once again, the enduring validity of the 19th century historian, Arnold Toynbee’s eternal postulation, that civilization and societies experience progress as they are forced to respond to challenges posed by the environment. The unjust annulment of a widely acknowledged free and fair election was a challenge that elicited resistance by a resurgent civil society, leading ultimately to the attainment of our ‘second independence’ as exemplified by the return of democratic governance in 1999.

    6. Fellow compatriots, we celebrate a day that has remained a watershed in our nation’s history, not just today, but for every June 12, for the endless future that our beloved country shall exist and wax stronger and stronger, generations of Nigerians will always remind themselves that the democracy that is steadily growing to become the defining essence of our polity was not gifted to us on a silver platter.

    7. We can easily recall the sacrifice and martyrdom of Chief MKO Abiola, the custodian of the sacred mandate that was so cruelly annulled. He sacrificed his life in unyielding, patriotic defense of the ideals of democracy as symbolized in his choice, by his fellow countrymen and women, as their duly-elected President. There was an easier choice for him. It was to forgo the justice of his cause and opt for the path of ease and capitulation in the face of the tyranny of power. To his eternal credit and immortal glory, Abiola said no. He demonstrated the time-tested eternal truth that there are certain ideals and principles that are far more valuable than life itself.

    8. Everyday, on this day, down the ages we will recall the several other heroes of democracy such as Kudirat Abiola, wife of Chief Abiola, who was brutally murdered while in the trenches fighting on the side of the people. We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, one of the heroes of our independence struggle and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (rtd) who were silenced by the military junta while in pursuit of democracy. They gave their yesterday for the liberty that is ours today.

    9. The point is that we must never take this democracy for granted. We must forever jealously guard and protect it like a precious jewel. For, a people can never truly appreciate the freedoms and rights democracy guarantees them until they lose it

    10. We have traversed the dark, thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the humiliation and degradation of tyranny. True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contestations may be perceived by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and value.

    11. This year, we held the seventh in the cycle of elections that have become sacred rituals of our democratic practice in this dispensation since 1999.

    12. That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land. It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed. But the beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections.

    13. Those who cannot endure and accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when it is their turn to triumph. Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court and that is one of the reasons why democracy is still the best form of government invented by man.

    14. For Chief MKO Abiola, the symbol of this day, in whose memory June 12 became a national holiday, democracy is eternal.

    15. It is about rule of law and vibrant judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice and strengthen institutions. It has become imperative to state here that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated.

    16. The recent harmonization of the retirement age for judicial officers is meant to strengthen the rule of law, which is a critical pillar of democracy. The reform has just started.

    17. The democracy that will yield right dividends to the people who are the shareholders means more than just freedom of choice and right to get people into elective offices. It means social and economic justice for our people. To the winner of June 12, democracy offers the best chance to fight and eliminate poverty. Thirty years ago, he christened his campaign manifesto, ‘Farewell to Poverty’ because he was convinced that there is nothing divine about poverty. It is a man-made problem that can be eliminated with clearly thought out social and economic policies.

    18. It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich. I admit that the decision will impose extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

    19. Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain. The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives.

    20. The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfillment and happiness. That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.

    21. On this year’s Democracy Day, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years. In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people, and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral promises.

    22. On my part and that of my administration, I pledge anew our commitment to diligently fulfilling every component of our electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

    23. We shall be faithful to truth. Faithful to equity. And faithful to justice. We shall exercise our authority and mandate to govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people.

    24. On this note, I wish us all a happy Democracy Day celebration and pray that the light of liberty shall never be extinguished in our land.

    25. Thank you all and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Subsidy: We’ll repay Nigerians’ sacrifice with massive infrastructural developments -Tinubu

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his administration will repay Nigerians’ sacrifices caused by the removal of fuel subsidy by investing heavily in social amenities.

    The President said this Monday during a National broadcast to mark Democracy Day (June 12), on Monday in Abuja.

    According to him, with the removal of fuel subsidy and the accruing revenue, Nigerians should expect better services that would improve their quality of life.

    He said Nigerians should also expect massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities.

    The new president said that the government would not take the sacrifice of Nigerians for granted, adding that the removal of fuel subsidy was a necessary process for a better country long strangulated from unnecessary expenditures.

    “It is for this reason that, in my inauguration address on May 29, I gave effect to the decision taken by my predecessor-in-office to remove the fuel subsidy albatross and free up for collective use of the much-needed resources, which had hitherto been pocketed by a few rich.

    “I admit that the decision will impose an extra burden on the masses of our people. I feel your pain.

    “This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements.

    “Painfully, I have asked you, my compatriots, to sacrifice a little more for the survival of our country. For your trust and belief in us, I assure you that your sacrifice shall not be in vain.

    “The government I lead will repay you through massive investment in transportation infrastructure, education, regular power supply, healthcare and other public utilities that will improve the quality of lives,’’ Tinubu said.

    The president also spoke on the struggle of late MKO Abiola and the passion he ignited during the 1993 presidential election.

    “The democracy MKO Abiola died for is one that promotes the welfare of the people over personal interests of the ruling class and one where the governed can find personal fulfilment and happiness.

    “That is the hope MKO Abiola ignited throughout our country in 1993.’’

    At a recent function with traditional rulers from the country, the president had given reasons why fuel subsidy was no longer sustainable.

    “Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not every day is Christmas?

    “The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have the potential to encourage ourselves?”

    Some of the advantages of fuel subsidy removal include ensuring the availability of petrol and curbing the greed for higher profits and sabotage by a few players in the oil industry.

    The Federal Government, after a meeting with members of labour unions, proposed a number of initiatives to ameliorate the effect of the subsidy removal on Nigerians.

    The Government, TUC and NLC agreed to establish a joint committee to review the proposal for a wage increase and establish a framework and timeline for implementation.

    They will also review World Bank-financed Cash Transfer Scheme and propose the inclusion of low-income earners in the programme.

    The parties will revive the CNG conversion programme and work out detailed implementation and timing.

    It also includes reviewing issues hindering effective delivery in the education sector, a framework for completion of refineries rehabilitation, road maintenance and expansion of rail networks across the country.

  • Gov Inuwa’s new 4-year term, sign of greater things for Gombe  

    Gombe State’s ascendancy to preeminence in the national and international political terrain under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is quite remarkable and historic.

    The remarkable successes recorded by the Inuwa administration reflect a determination to create a new Gombe with limitless opportunities, thereby remaking the socio-economic and infact political fabric of the people towards a shared journey of good governance, prosperity and possibilities.

    At every event or fora these days, Gombe State enjoys a prime of place, especially when the issues of good governance constitute the subject matter.

    Just recently, specifically at the farewell dinner organized by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), in honor of outgoing governors, Inuwa was accosted by the media and asked to share his views on governance, policies and development. Of course true to his character he didn’t disappoint.  He emphasised the need for leaders to remain focused and not to allow distraction of any sort or form, maintaining that “it is the leaders that guide and control the movement and we should therefore be on the positive side to direct and help the people through our policies and programmes”.

    Speaking on his ‘magic wand’ that saw to the incredible transformation of Gombe State in less than 4 years of his stewardship, Governor Inuwa said, ” We thank God we didn’t go in blindfolded.  We went with a clear mission and vision, and Ahamdulillah we’ve been able to cultivate the grounds on which we are able to impact positively on the lives of our people through the projects and programmes we’re executing”.

    The governor said sheer determination, hardwork and the passion to deliver good services to the people were largely responsible for the giant strides being witnessed in Gombe State under his stewardship.

    Gombe has transformed into a beacon of accelerated growth and development, firmly establishing itself as the benchmark for progress. Step by step, it is attaining the position we envisioned for it. This remarkable achievement is a direct outcome of the Governor’s unwavering determination and vision to forge a legacy that  propels the state towards becoming one of the top ten strongest economies in the country.

    The pervading optimism in Gombe State is now giving the people a shared hope for a brighter tomorrow. The power of leadership and vision have reshaped our collective being, now dwelling more on the big picture of what Gombe State can be if we believe in ourselves and do the right things in a focused manner as we follow resolutely the development trajectory carefully drawn and being executed to fully harness our potentials.

    In the true spirit of our renaissance, therefore, I am sure everyone who has followed the enviable turnaround in education, healthcare delivery, infrastructural development, agriculture and human capital development in the state will agree with the realities of a new era of excellence.

    Let’s start with the cosmopolitanism posture of Inuwa. Gombe, the state capital, like most of the other towns around the state, has now grown phenomenally big into a modern city with mind-blowing infrastructure and amenities as envisioned. The state is certainly making history.

    The educational status of Gombe which was at the base among the 36 states of Nigeria, with secondary school students’ success ratio of 29 percent, is now at 87 percent. Thanks to Inuwa’s intervention through the state of emergency on education.  Just this year, the Inuwa-led administration pumped over N4 billion into the sector and declared an end to the state of emergency owing to the successes recorded.

    Last year, the Dan Majen Gombe was on the podium at the United Kingdom’s renowned Royal Institute of International Affairs known as Chatham House. The Chatham House is a political turf of World Leaders.

    Inuwa was found worthy of being called upon to showcase the good works he has been doing in Gombe State’s health sector. His brilliance in Chatham House is still reverberating in Nigeria’s political circles.

    On security matters, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Ahmed Baba, at the first Security Summit organized by Gombe State adjudged the Jewel State as a state to emulate in terms of peace and balanced security status.

    From all indications, the next four years will come with so much improvement in the quality of life of the people. This is a major point of considerable effect on why government exists and what should really matter in our evaluation of leadership as a harbinger of change.

    From this standpoint, it is clear that the Inuwa Yahaya administration is strategically building a new Gombe State that is innovative, competitive and prosperous.

    The Gombe people are witnesses to the massive building of schools, upgrade of boarding schools and equipping them, enhanced investment in constructing many roads through his flagship project, the network 11-100 and economic sense of boosting agriculture, building and equipping various hospitals, revitalization of healthcare centres statewide, providing water for all, solid empowerment to unleash the creative energy of our people in business. A ground breaking idea of establishing the Gombe Industrial Park which ultimately will attract a cluster of multiple industries that will create thousands of good jobs is fantastic.

    During Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s initial term, he achieved a remarkable transformation of Gombe state, leaving no critical sector untouched. His dedication ensured the state’s continued prosperity.

    As he prepares to begin his second term in a few days, we eagerly anticipate an even more aggressive focus on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and other vital areas of growth and development.

    Inded the future of Gombe State is very positive and one is inclined to believe convincingly that the Inuwa Yahaya-led administration has done exceedingly well in its first term and the pervading optimism is now giving the people a shared hope for a brighter tomorrow as the  Governor sets to be inaugurated for another four year term.

    *Misilli is the Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe

  • Security: NSA, DG DSS task governors on conflict management

    The National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.- Gen. Mohammed Monguno, has tasked state governors with the regular engagement of stakeholders and proper management of conflicts to enhance the security of their respective states.

    The NSA made the call at the ongoing three-day 2023 induction program for re-elected and newly elected governors organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

    Munguno, represented by Mr. Joseph Dashwuep, a senior officer in the NSA’s office, also called on State Governors to adopt both the kinetic and non-kinetic models in tackling insecurity in their states.

    Monguno who was the lead discussant at a panel session on “Managing security in the states: Ungoverned spaces and regional security” said that security agencies would always do their best to keep Nigeria safe.

    He said that there was the need for state governors to adopt policies that meet the aspirations of the people and ensure proper management of conflicts.

    “The way you manage conflicts go a long way in determining the peace and security of your state,” Monguno said.

    He also advised them to regularly meet with security agencies, media, civil societies, non-governmental organizations, citizens, and traditional and religious leaders.

    Also speaking, the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi who was a discussant, advised governors to act promptly on intelligence reports and early warning alert.

    ”You are expected to act promptly once you receive intelligence or early warning reports.

    “Do not neglect these reports. Sometimes governors will receive intelligence report and hand it over to a special adviser or aide,” he said.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, who was also a discussant, advised governors to work with existing security architecture to secure their state.

    Baba said that establishing a new security outfit would cost more than improving of the existing ones

    He also advised governors to tackle the issue of unemployment and poverty as well as adopt advanced technology in fighting crime.

    Contributing, Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra, said that state governors should be empowered to tackle security challenges at the local level because the federal security agencies were not localised.

    “The central point here to make is that security or insecurity is largely a local issue. Every locality has its own peculiarities.

    “I think for those of us who are governors and the governors-elect, a major concern that we need to address is that the national security architecture places much emphasis on kinetic architecture which is almost exclusively on the shoulders of the Federal Government.

    “Whereas the governors are called chief security officers (without troops); we must have to learn how to cope for survival in a dysfunctional system,” he said.

    Soludo expressed happiness that the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu had expressed his commitment to state police saying that is really the way to go in a federal structure.

    “The vigilante services of various states are backed by law. The one of Anambra is doing well but we are operating on a tight constraint as it were,” he said.

    Also, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, said instead of establishing new security outfit at the state, governors should key into efforts by federal government.

    He said that federal security agencies were functioning, but in adequate fund remain a big challenge that states can step into to fund their operations.

    “If we can tackle the funding gap that exists among these security agencies and fund them early enough, the idea of having a general without a troop will disappear because you know as we always say, who plays the piper dictates the tune,” he said.

    Uzodinma called for partnership and cooperation between the state and federal governments

    “I am also aware that given the economy and revenue sources available to the states, it may not be very easy now for some states to fund the cost of setting up an independent security architecture that will be effective and efficient in their various states.

    “Rather, an inter-dependent relationship between the federal establishment and provincial authorities will also work,” he added.

    On managing the process of governance, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State advised incoming governors not to abandon any project because they were not the initiators.

    Sanwo-Olu said the completion of a project was more important to the people than who started it.

    “If a project is 86 per cent completed and abandoned, no body will take the credit. What the people are concerned about is to enjoy the facilities,” he said.

    Gov. Seyin Makinde of Oyo State also advised governors not to abandon projects.

    Former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, urged governors to deliver on their by promises saying “politics is over. You emerged one way or the other, it is time to work.

    “I will congratulate you for winning election but the bigger congratulations will come at the end of your tenure,” he said.