Governors’ Forum holds retreat for 36 governors, in Sokoto — LIVE UPDATES

All is now set for the commencement of the second retreat for Nigerian governors organised by the secretariat of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF. The retreat is holding at the five-star Giginya Coral Hotel in Sokoto metropolis.
Some of the respurce persons billed to present papers were already around and seated. They are Chidi Odinkalu, chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Bishop Mathew Kukah, and human right lawyer,Ayo Obe. The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will also be making presentation here.
A PREMIUM TIMES reporter is attending the event and will provide live updates from the venue.
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UPDATE 1: Some of the governors briefly walked into the venue for a live interview on Channel TVs Sunrise programme. First to be interviewed were host governor Aliyu Wamakko and NGF Chair, Rotimi Amaechi.
Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos were also interviewed.

Host governor, Aliyu Wammako, having a chat with Bishop Mathew Kukah
UPDATE 2:  The commencement time has now been moved to 11a.m. from the original 9a.m. because the governors have gone to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto on a courtesy call.
Comedian Julius Agwu is also around, we learnt he is the master of ceremony for the event.
UPDATE 3: Nuhu Ribadu arrives.

Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu arrives
UPDATE 4:  The governors are back from the Sultan’s palace and are seated for the retreat to commence shortly.
UPDATE 5: NGF Chair, Governor Rotimi Amaechi now speaking. “Todays event provides an opportunity for indepth deliberation on the state of the nation and challenges confronting our states.
“It is also an occasion to renew our vision as a forum.
“We meet regularly under the NGF platform not to deliberate on issues in a politically partisan fashion, but to have objective discussions and reach some consensus on matters of national interest.
“We also strategize on viable and responsible  implementation options on fora like this. It has become our culture to leverage on the wisdom and experiences of experts as a way of giving broader perspectives to national issues.
“Nigeria is faced with a lot of challenges which can only be overcome if her leaders make conscious efforts to do the right things. This retreat is coming at a crucial time in our national life, when we as leaders must live up to expectations of the electorate. It’s a time when our insecure population looks up to us for security and social justice.
“It is my sincere hope that our resolutions would provide answers to the many questions plaguing our dear nation.”
UPDATE 6: Host Governor, Aliyu Wammako takes the microphone. He speaks,  ”It’s obvious that retreats of all types are meant to provide platforms for critical review of attitudes, decisions and plans of action with a view to introducing concrete and positive changes required in accomplishing predefined objectives
“Fora of this type are therefore highly crucial for individuals and groups offering challenging services of our type.
“The present moment of our history as a nation undoubtedly requires critical key players of our calibre to come together for sober reflections on the prevailing democratic dispensation, which we have the sacred responsibility of promoting, protecting and safe guarding at all times.
“Every citizen of our great country has the civic responsibilities of advancing the course democracy and indeed, all that it takes to propel Nigeria to greater heights.
“Those of us who have the mandate of our people should bear the full brunt of the challenges and sacrifices.
“The future which our founding fathers had hoped for us was that of selflessness in the service of our fatherland. Selflessness to struggle and work assiduously to bring freedom and opportunity to the common man; to fight and end poverty, ignorance and diseases; to build up prosperous, democratic and progressive nation and indeed to create social, economic and political institutions that would ensure justice, and happiness to every Nigerian.”
UPDATE 7:  Prof. Wole Soyinka just finished delivering his paper. Up next Bishop Mathew Kukah.

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