The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) met on Thursday in Abuja and resolved to adopt a new technology-driven strategy as part of moves to tackle Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
The Governors therefore established a subcommittee whose mandate is to collaborate directly with heads of the nation’s defence and security agencies in order to provide peace and security for Nigerians.
The details of the new technology-driven strategy was presented to the Governors by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.
The resolution followed a late-night meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, with a communiqué read by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State in the early hours of Thursday.
The communiqué, signed by NGF chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, noted that the Governors’ decision was based on their admiration for the technology-driven solutions the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) presented at the meeting.
“The Forum received a presentation from the CDS on an innovative security initiative to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for early threat detection and coordinated response.
“The project envisions deploying advanced technology and infrastructure to improve surveillance, crisis management and public safety.
“Governors expressed support for the initiative’s objectives and underscored the importance of technology-driven solutions in addressing evolving security challenges at the state level,” he said.
The communique read by Governor Uzodimma also said that the forum received a presentation from the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, on unlocking the economic potential of land through a Federal-State partnership on land reform.
He said the Minister outlined ongoing housing initiatives under the Renewed Hope Programme which proposes a comprehensive land registration reform to formalise land ownership, enhance tenure security and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across States.
According to the communique: “The Forum also received a presentation on a proposed strategic partnership with Powercom Smart Grid Nigeria Limited (PSGN) to revitalise the electricity distribution sector through private sector investment.
“Under the proposed agreement, PSGN will assume operational control of select distribution companies (DisCos), introduce advanced smart grid technologies and establish a meter production facility to enhance service delivery and energy across states.”
Also, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, said the recent killings and attacks in some States should not be seen as an indictment of the Governors because they have limited roles to play in addressing security challenges.
Sani said that while he agreed with the National Security Council’s comment, he also believed that security agencies in Nigeria should take more action and do what is right.
He said that while leaders must take responsibility, all stakeholders must work together to address the problem of insecurity.
“In my opinion, it is not an indictment. I agree that we have a limited role to play concerning the constitution of Nigeria.
“By the grace of God, it is one of the areas we are going to look at – the possibility of the creation of state police in Nigeria, which would go a long way in tackling insecurity, particularly at the sub-national level,” he said.
