Echoes From NGF PH Retreat

Former President of
Liberia, Prof Amos Sawyer was striking during last weekend’s Nigeria Governor’s Forum(NGF) Retreat in Port Harcourt.
He presented the lead paper at the two-day meeting of all the governors in Nigeria. Speaking on the topic, “Transitioning Out: Making the Most of Life After Office”, Prof Sawyer remarked, “ First when appointed or elected, it is important to see public service as a privilege. We must see public service as a privilege and because it is a privilege, we should be appreciative of the opportunity given to us to serve and we must be humble by this opportunity.”
Among all the sessions held at the retreat, the first session chaired by the ex-Liberian leader attracted comments and views from the governors. Records from the NGF secretariat indicated that out of the 36 governors currently serving, about 19 would be leaving office on May 2015. Two of the governors will have their first tenure ended next year, another two will exhaust their second term in 2016, while 13 are presently serving their first term.
These figures showed that over half of the governors would be leaving next year hence  the discussion on Life after Office. was crucial. As Sawyer ended his treatise, some governors took turns to respond. Also, former governor of Abia State,  Orji Uzor Kalu, who was  one of the discussants shared his experience. He counselled the outgoing governors to be more entrepreneurial, recalling that most of his businesses suffered while in office.
He said now he gave out of office, he gives enough time to his businesses which takes him around the globe. He described the retreat as timely and urged governors to plan ahead.
Kalu sounded a note of warning, “ think towards entrepreneurship so you can help people around you outside office”. He also counselled governors not to abandon politics after leaving office, but to be active in the political affairs of their states, “mind the kind of person that will succeed you.”
For Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State, “it’s good to have the mind of your own when in office because people sometimes impose things on you.” He was of the opinion that governors from the onset should set forth on implementing projects they will be remembered for.
In his words, “ the time to set how you will be remembered for is now and we have control over that”.
Governors Murtala Nyarko and Abiola Ajimobi were of the view that governors should always see their status as ephemeral and therefore should not be blinded with the trappings of the office.
Ajimobi, who is Oyo State governor remarked, “life is all about role playing. I think we will govern better, if we are really prepared from the onset to lead”.
Prof Dele Jinadu capped the session when he revealed that a guide book for transitioning was already been compiled for the forum. He revealed that the book was tailored after that of the Governor’s Association of America.
The second session of the retreat took an overview of health projects and policies executed by the different state governors. Former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki set the tone of discussion when he frowned at the poor health policies of some state governments.
He lamented that primary health care had been relegated to the background such that some state governors believe that when they build a hospital in the city it is enough to cover the populace. “ It’s totally wrong to believe that because you have a hospital, that health needs of the people have been addressed.’’
Responding, Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola said his administration viewed health  as preservation of life and fundamental responsibility of government. He, however, was of the opinion that health should be preventive and curative.
By providing conducive living environment for its citizens, such as potable water, power, roads, infrastructure, he said government will have reduced health problems by half.
Speaking, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, said his administration’s approach was to ensure that health primary facilities were provided at the rural communities. In pursuance of this vision, he said the government built over 150 health centres, employed new doctors and nurses to man them.
For him, “ I think no government should play politics with two key areas- health and education”.
The session on youth empowerment turned into a lively debate after Prof Olu Ajakaiye of the Nigeria Economic Society, delivered the paper on “Overview of the State of Unemployment in Nigeria.”
Governor Aliyu Wammako of Sokoto State advocated for a youth development policy that covers all spheres. But he was tackled by Governor Adams Oshiomole, who felt at home with the topic as a past labour leader and economist.
The Edo State governor held that humans should be at the heart of every government policy to address unemployment, saying the private sector has huge role to play even as he blamed government for playing lip service.
Oshiomole maintained that both macro and micro economic policies must be aligned to tackle the menace adding, “what nobody talks about even in official forecasting is the level of employment…without power all these things we are talking about will not make sense.”
He advocated for the revival of labour intensive industries so as to engage more hands in productivity.
Commenting, Governor Amaechi was of the opinion that agriculture provides one sure path to tackle unemployment. He explained that his administration in Rivers State has established farms- Banana farm, Songhai farm and is planning another one at Etche to provide alternative jobs for youths . Earlier in his opening address, Governor Amaechi said the retreat had become imperative considering the current national challenge of corruption and security.
He said, “ what we do as governors even in our last years may mar or make our administration”
Since most of the governors were on the last lap of their tenure, the Rivers State governor observed that the retreat would help in providing road map for most to transit peacefully, stating that attention would be given to agriculture, education and other national development challenges.
He advocated for  free and fair elections and recognition of minority right in the country.
Amaechi used the retreat to call on governors to jettison all forms of division and unite for the development of the country, while lauding the secretariat for hard work to sustain the forum.
An 11-point communiqué was later read by the Chairman of the body and Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi at the end of the sessions and deliberations
The communiqué revealed plans by the governors to use ICT to curb unemployment.  On the issue of the lingering youth unemployment, make provisions for support all infrastructure necessary for speedy internet connections, including broadband, so that our youths in particular and other Nigerians can participate massively in the wealth to be made from the knowledge-based economy.
The body  hinted of plans to establish an independent office to make objective recommendations on the retirement benefits of governors, arguing that reward for leadership should be anchored on legacy exhibited in projects and service to the people.
It emphasised the need on making primary health care centre accessible to patients by putting in place a system which makes them utilise the health facilities closest to them, while identifying preventive health  care as being a sure path for better health for the citizens.
The body was of the opinion that one sure way of engendering job creation was to place emphasis on infrastructure provision and power provision.
Frowning on the surging interest rates, the forum submitted that it would use its position as members of the National Economic Council, “ to press for low interest rates and enforcement of import policies and collection of custom duties. ”
The governors were of the view that high interest rates was encouraging unemployment and raising poverty, stressing that low interest rates and other policies will drive poverty reduction.

Gov. Chibuike Amaechi, NGF Chairman