REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, AT THE FAREWELL DINNER FOR GOVERNORS HELD AS PART OF THE NIGERIA GOVERNORS‘ FORUM: INDUCTION FOR GOVERNORS, HELD AT THE TRANSCORP HILTON, ABUJA, ON SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019.
PROTOCOL.
1. It gives me great pleasure to be at this Farewell Dinner for Governors being held as an opener to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum: Induction for Governors, a three-day event that has its grand commencement here tonight.
2. It is always a hugely gratifying time spent with esteemed former and present Governors as we come together to honour the work of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) – a body concerning which one has had the rare and unique privilege to make one’s own humble contributions to making it what it is today.
3. I commend the Chairman, His Excellency, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State, for a successful tenure at the helm of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum; and for sustaining peace and progress within this all-important body, which plays a most crucial role in achieving a broad vision for governance in Nigeria’s democracy.
4. I must also commend the robust programme put together by the NGF Secretariat as will unfold over the coming days of this Induction event, as well as the depth of thought and level of planning that has gone into fashioning these activities. I have no doubt that, with the wealth of experience, insight, knowledge as well as conversations that will be shared during the sessions, incoming Governors will be derive no little benefit; and will – as a result – be better prepared for their new roles as Chief Executives of their various states.
5. It is therefore expected that this event will help bolster the capacity of state governments for success; and Governors will be able to put their best foot forward in the quest to deliver the dividends of democracy and meet the needs of the people.
6. An event such as this calls us to think deeply on the challenges of governance at the state level in Nigeria today. What are the identified successes we can build on in order to fulfil the wishes of the people? What are those things that Governors could do better? Are there lessons or examples from the past that could be put to use in the present time, so we don’t keep reinventing the wheel?
7. Without a doubt, Governors should be doing their utmost to deliver governance at state level, so as to reduce the pressure on the Federal Government. It should be clear to every citizen, regardless of their social or economic status, that there is a government at the helm in the state, and which is working assiduously for their future. Government must therefore be a real presence in people’s lives at the state level.
8. If the states are effectively delivering on good governance and the lives of citizens improve, then the people will be happy. This also means that their trust in the state government will be strengthened; invariably, they will be eager to support government and key into its vision and policies as a surefire path to a better future.
9. Also worth emulating is the situation as obtained during the First Republic, when the three regional governments were competing positively and bringing appreciable development to their people. Governors can take inspiration from the institutionalized federalism that saw the states competing through development policies, programmes and projects that went a long way towards advancing the quality of people’s lives.
10. The cumulative impact of such an approach is incalculable for the country as a whole, since accelerated development in the states can only lead to the country’s GDP growth and high level of economic development nationally.
11. For continued and greater success of governance in the states, therefore, Governors must commit themselves to determined and consistent peer review, regional cooperation and exchange of ideas. For all these, the Nigeria Governors Forum is really indispensible, as a veritable platform for positive interaction and the sharing of ideas and experiences that will help move our great country forward.
12. I wish incoming Governors the best of luck as they embark on this national assignment.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
