OPENING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN, NORTHER STATES GOVERNORS FORUM & GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG AT THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE FORUM AT THE SIR KASHIM IBRAHIM HOUSE, KADUNA 27TH SEPTEMBER 2021.
Protocols
- My dear colleagues, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to welcome you once again to Kaduna, the headquarters of our region as we deliberate on issues relating to the peace, progress and development of our people and the nation at large. I believe that this meeting will afford us the opportunity to look into various issues closely.
- I welcome most specially His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Chairman of the Northern Council of Traditional Rulers, and other Royal Fathers for sparing time to attend this very important emergency meeting.
- You will recall that we met here in February this year to look at a wide range of issues concerning the well-being of our people. The meeting held at this Chamber, was also attended by the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, and other Members of the National Assembly; the Chief of Staff to the President; Minister of Information and Culture; the Inspector General of Police; Director General States Security Service; Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto amongst others.
- After hours of exhaustive deliberations, we arrived at several resolutions bordering on improving security of our region; enhancing socio-economic prosperity of the people; addressing humanitarian challenges of internally displaced persons; building synergy with the Federal Government and our counterparts from other parts of the country among others.
- This Forum also received various reports from the Committees we earlier constituted and resolved to look into the Reports for implementation, while awaiting the completion of work on others. Various presentations were also made by individuals and corporate organizations for the development of the Region which we all agreed to carefully examine.
- Today’s meeting is essentially to get an update on the progress made so far on some of those items particularly on addressing insecurity which is still a major concern in the region. We shall therefore take stock of how far we have gone in tackling banditry, kidnapping and insurgency and also chart the way forward.
- In addition, we shall also take a critical look at some new national issues that have emerged over the recent months and weeks with a view to coming up with a position of the region as well as adopting the best possible approach to ensuring that the interest of the region is protected and promoted. Key among them is the issue of Value Added Tax collection and the surrounding controversy.
- As usual, I look forward to robust contributions from all members that will lead us to arrive at very meaningful conclusions that will impact positively on the fortunes of our people. Once again I welcome you to this meeting and look forward to successful deliberations.
- Thank you and God bless the Northern Region and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive Governor of Plateau State &
Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum
27th September 2021.
Photos; Josiah Jenvulu
Freelance Reporters 