Date Published: 10/06/09
Communique: Issued at the Nigeria Governors' Forum Meeting held on Monday, October 5, 2009. At the Kwara State Governor's Lodge.
We, the Executive Governors of the 36 States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at our 5 th Meeting held on October 5 th 2009 under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge deliberated over a variety of issues of national importance and resolved as follows:
1. To support the Honorable Minister of Health in the implementation of a vector control programme designed to eradicate malaria. Members also noted funding options available for this programme agreed to support efforts to source for funds from local stakeholders, the MDG, etc. Also noted was the ongoing success of the Polio Eradication Campaign (in the past three weeks, only one Nigerian child has been paralyzed by polio) Polio distribution in 2008 and 2009 have significantly improved. The Forum expressed support for the Federal Government’s Midwives Service Scheme (MSS) under the Primary Healthcare Sector, which is designed to address maternal and infant mortality through the distribution of midwives at primary healthcare centers around the country.
2. After listening to the presentation of the Honorable Minister of Defence as well as the comments by the South - South Governors, the Forum resolved to commend the Federal Government and the Governors of the South-South States for the amnesty initiative. While noting this historic movement towards peace and reconciliation by the Federal Government which has resulted in the disarmament and demobilization, members called for support for the next phase of this process: rehabilitation and the reintegration. The Forum further more called on the Federal Government to treat kidnapping with the same level of seriousness it deserves. The Forum agreed that it would give support to efforts by the National Assembly to pass extra budgetary provision to help ex-militants in their efforts to be rehabilitated and re-integrated. As a mark of solidarity to the Niger Delta, members unanimously resolved to host its next meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
3. Furthermore, the Forum noted the clarifications made by the Executive Secretary to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and agreed that the way forward is for every State to put in place the following: an action plan, the counterpart funding, and a functional board. Once all three requirements have been met, the States can access their funds within 24 hours.
4. After briefing by one of our members, the Forum commended progress made by the leadership of ASUU and the Federal Government, and expressed belief that strike would be called off shortly. While thanking Mr. President for his support in resolving the impasse and the ASUU for its role, the Forum expressed the hope that the strike would be called off before the end of the week. The Forum also noted that States are discussing the Teachers’ Salary Scheme (TSS) and it is hoped that before the end of the year, all the States would begin to implement the TSS.
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