The nation’s 36 Governors will meet on Tuesday with Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, her Agriculture counterpart Mohammad Abubakar, a team from the World Bank, to be led by its Country Director, Dr Shubham Chadhuri and others on the economy.
A statement by the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) stated that the Ministers and World Bank officials would make presentations at the 5th NGF teleconference meeting this year, which will focus on the economy, among other issues.
The statement on Monday by the NGF spokesman, Abdulrazaque Bello Barkindo, reads: “Three ministers would address the 36 governors when they converge at Tuesday’s meeting on July 26th, as the 36 governors meet virtually in their 5th teleconference meeting for 2022.
“The economy will dominate the meeting as the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the World Bank, led by its Country Director, Dr Shubham Chadhuri and other key stakeholders in the economic sector make presentations.
“The invitation which was issued by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Bayo Okauru, will begin from 2pm.
“All Governors are expected to link up from 1pm. This meeting was scheduled to take place last week Wednesday but due to some political exigencies which resulted in the absence of many APC governors, the meeting had to be postponed till tomorrow, Tuesday, the 25th of July.
“This postponement was occasioned by the need for the Finance Minister to consult with Governors on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTTF) 2023-2025 before presenting her proposals at the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.
“Other presentations include the state onboarding Process for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Effectiveness by the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar.
“Governors are also expected to deliberate on and endorse the Primary Healthcare Challenge Fund which will be presented by the officials of NPHCDA and UNICEF. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire is also expected to make a presentation on the Global Fund.
“All these will be proceeded by the Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s opening remarks which usually sets the tone for the issues of the day.”