The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) has advocated for Policy Reforms to Enhance Food Security in the country.
The National Chairman of FFDGN, Chris A Akomas, made the statement yesterday in Abuja during their third national conference, which had the theme “Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”
Akomas said, “Despite the vast natural resources, large population, awesome human resources and rich cultural heritage, we grapple with significant issues of governance challenges, food insecurity, and the difficulty of addressing sustainable growth.”
He stressed that the Forum has brought together a team of seasoned academics and experts to interrogate the theme and devise sustainable solutions to overcome some of the county’s challenges.
Akomas said, “As leaders and citizens committed to our nation’s progress, we must chart a course that leads to effective and efficient governance, ensure food security, invest to drastically reduce poverty and hunger eliminate insecurity, and ensure sustainable economic development.”
“In our quest for sustainable growth, we recognise the importance of collaboration beyond our borders. Our partnership with Nations across Africa, hence the Polish Nigeria Business Council, will be pivotal in sharing Knowledge and expertise. We believe that robust alliances will enable us to tackle the challenges of Governance. We must leverage our collective strength to create networks that will empower our communities and cultivate an environment conducive to development. Additionally, I am excited to appreciate our effort to support the system to facilitate Innovation and entrepreneurship across Nigeria.”
For his part, the former governor of Akwa Ibom state, (Obong) Victor B. Attah, who chaired the occasion, said that the forum needs to do a lot to add value in all the areas mentioned.
He said, “Your Fact Book tells me that you were founded to provide opportunities for past Deputy Governors to deploy their expertise, skills, and knowledge individually and collectively for Nigeria’s growth and sustainable development. It goes on to describe you as a good governance interventionist Organization.”
Attah said that as a critical platform for quality managers of human and material resources, the forum is expected to contribute to nation-building through advocacy for sound policy initiatives to promote a culture of accountability and consciousness of Nigeria’s national core values.
Also, the director general of FFDGN, Hon Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, while appreciating the participants, said that the Forum has come a long way, cascading the political and economic landscape of the nation. At conception, the forum had the potential of the greatness it is exhibiting today, but it had to experience the normal growth process from 2011 to the present.
He further said that the forum’s founding fathers aptly captured the vision of FFDGN and the nation-building philosophy, and its results are being witnessed today.
He stressed that the FFDGN, with its experienced noble leaders, will leave no stone unturned to see Nigeria develop in leaps and bounds. This underscores the quest and zeal to attract FDI and provide platforms to facilitate the placement of made-in-Nigerian goods in each European store.