Governors summon Finance, Agric,  Health Ministers over growing concern on Nigerian economy

 The dwindling economic situation of the country has led the thirty- six State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF to summon the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed to appear before them to get a holistic situation on the nation’s economy. Also invited by the Governors is the World Bank that would be  led by its Country Director, Dr Shubham Chadhuri and other key stakeholders in the economic sector to make presentations. Also summoned to the 5th NGF Teleconference Meeting today of the NGF are the Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar who would make presentations to the Governors on the state onboarding Process for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) Effectiveness. The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire is also billed to make presentations on the Primary Healthcare Challenge Fund which will be presented by the officials of NPHCDA and UNICEF before the endorsement by the Governors.

 A statement yesterday  by the NGF Director- General, Asishana Bayo Okauru read, “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 Shamsuna 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 2 pm in the afternoon. All Governors are expected to link up from 1 pm.

“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.”