Jonathan To Address NGF In Sokoto

The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), under the chairmanship of Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, is to hold a retreat for the 36 governors of the federation on accountability.
Director General of the forum’s secretariat, Mr. Asishana Okauru said yesterday  in an interview  in Sokoto, that  the two-day retreat, which would be held in Sokoto between Nov. 15 and 16, would be hosted by the Sokoto State Government.
He also said that the retreat was expected to be attended by governors of all 36 states of the federation.
Okauru stressed that invitation for the event had been sent to all the governors, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan was also expected to grace the event.
He said that the retreat was planned to further encourage good governance and accountability at the sub-national level.
“The retreat will focus on forensic examination of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), constitutionalism, rule of law and human rights.
“We will also focus on the level of insecurity and how to deepen democracy and federalism as well as the need to leave a sustainable legacy,” Okauru said.
The Director General added that seasoned professionals had been lined up to guide the retreat process.
On the crisis that erupted in the forum following the outcome of its chairmanship election on May 24, Okauru maintained that the forum remained one under one leadership.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Sa’ad Isa Gada, Secretary to the Sokoto government, said  that the state was prepared to host the retreat.
“We are used to receiving and hosting large visitors and this will not be an exception. The state is peaceful and people are happy to come here. “Because the NGF is a large body, the state government is making appropriate arrangements to ensure that the stay of the governors in Sokoto is memorable.”
The retreat would be the second the NGF will be organising for state governors who formed its membership.
The first retreat, held by the forum for newly elected, re-elected and returning governors in May 2011 in Abuja, was organised to strengthen the governorship institution and to prepare governors for better governance.
The 2011 retreat was organised by the forum in collaboration with the National Governors Association (NGA) Washington DC, the U.S. equivalent of the NGF.

L-R: Senator Jewel Taylor of Liberia, President Pro-tempore of Liberian Senate, Senator Gbehzohngar Findley and Senate President David Mark, during their courtesy visit to the Senate Present in Abuja, yesterday.