Victor EzejaPresident Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his felicitation with the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who has been elected as President of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF),
Fayemi qualified for the position with his capacity as the NGF chairman. The election was held after a conference in Casablanca region of Morocco during the weekend.
The NGF chairman on Monday led a delegation which included Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State to the State House where they were received by President Buhari.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari remarked that it is heartwarming that despite challenges in Nigeria, other countries still believe in it, hence considering one of its leaders worthy of being elected into that position.
“In spite of the security challenges we have, it is good to see that other countries still believe in our potentialities. Congratulations for doing justice to Nigeria. We thank you,” the president stated.
President Buhari also thanked all other countries that queued behind Nigeria to emerge FORAF President, noting that it was a good show of brotherhood and solidarity.
Governor Sule said the conference was well attended by Governors and participants from about 22 African countries, where regional issues were discussed, and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) signed on different areas like agriculture, mining, education, scholarships, and many others.
He added that while Nigeria, from West Africa, clinched the Presidency, Vice Presidents emerged from South Africa, for Southern Africa; Kenya, East Africa; Morocco, Northern Africa; and Cameroon for Central Africa.
Governor Fayemi, who relinquishes the Presidency to the next NGF President at the expiration of his tenure in office, said the idea of FORAF was for sub-nationals to become engines of growth, “and reduce pressure on central governments.”
He added that FORAF was a unifying force for States (called Regions, Counties, or Provinces in other countries) “to create a globally respected continent,” submitting that Nigeria’s election was a testimony to the huge respect President Buhari enjoys in Africa.
“Other countries simply withdrew their bids, once they saw that Nigeria was interested in the position,” Fayemi disclosed.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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