2 hours ago
1
ABUJA – The 36 State governors under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) have thrown their weight behind the ongoing Constitutional Amendment reaffirming their commitment to actively engage in shaping amendments that strengthen Nigeria’s constitution.
The members of the NGF stated this in a communique signed by AbdulRahman Abdul Razaq, Governor of Kwara State, and Chairman of the Forum, issued after their 11th physical meeting which held in Abuja Wednesday night.
“The Forum hosted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CON, who briefed Governors on the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
“”The Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Forum and the Committee, proposing the establishment of a “one-stop shop” framework to align state-level priorities with the constitutional review process. Governors pledged their support for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to actively engage in shaping amendments that strengthen Nigeria’s constitution” reads part of the communique.
Continuing it stated that the “Forum engaged with the Honourable Minister of Education on strategies to reposition Nigeria’s education system for improved outcomes. The Minister provided an overview of the challenges, including out-of-school children and high rates of learning poverty, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
“Key proposals discussed include strengthening collaboration between federal and state governments, improving the quality of girl- child education, integrating vocational training, and leveraging data and technology to enhance education management systems. Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government and development partners to address these challenges and align efforts towards achieving SDG4”.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, who read the communique to members of the press also noted that meeting focused on ongoing consultations regarding tax reforms, with no definitive position established yet.
On insecurity in the Northeast, Sani said the governors are working closely with all the relevant security agencies, adding that security issue is not only in the northwest, although it is all over Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that these issues would eventually be resolved, highlighting collaboration with relevant security agencies to address the challenges effectively.
Fielding questions from journalists after a meeting with the governors, Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu emphasized the importance of engaging with Nigeria’s governors in the constitutional review process, highlighting their vital role in national progress.
The Deputy Speaker, who was accompanied by the Principal Officers of the House, including the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims: the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Sada Soli, among others, also noted that the committee has identified 161 areas for amendment and plans to visit states for public input.
Kalu reported positive discussions, with governors supporting the review and remaining open-minded about various thematic areas, including local government reform.
He expressed confidence that this collaborative approach will facilitate smoother legislative processes when the amendments reach state assemblies, ultimately aiming for a more inclusive and effective constitution.
“The governors were open-minded. The governors were professional in the discussion. The governors, you know, they are just listening.
“And like nationalists, like leaders of this nation, they are interested in what will make the nation move forward.
“And they were not exacted on any particular thematic area because we laid before them various thematic areas that we are considering now”.
