The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) convened a crucial meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to address the pressing security challenges and escalating food prices in the nation.
During the deliberations, which also saw the participation of a representative from the Department of State Services (DSS), the governors pledged their support to bolster the operations of the NSA’s office within their respective states. This collaboration aims to enhance intelligence gathering and analysis to effectively combat security threats.
Additionally, the governors advocated for measures to reduce the demand for foreign exchange, urging the use of moral suasion to diminish reliance on imported goods and services. They emphasized the importance of curbing illegal exports of solid minerals and increasing crude oil production to bolster foreign exchange reserves.
In a statement issued by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum outlined immediate actions to address the intertwined issues of food inflation, currency depreciation, and rising insecurity. These measures include streamlining criminal justice laws to ensure swift justice for security offenders and providing support to the NSA’s office at the state level to enhance intelligence capabilities.
The statement read: “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our emergency virtual meeting held the 6th February, 2024 following a briefing by National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the representative of the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), deliberated on the security situation and food stability in the country and resolved as follows:
“Recognised the need to address the connection between food inflation, naira depreciation and rising insecurity across parts of the country from a systemic perspective and called for urgent discussions with and synergy amongst stakeholders in improving the situation in the shortest possible time.
“Agreed on the following immediate actions: Reduce Foreign Exchange Demand: by use of moral suasion to reduce dependence on foreign exchange, imported goods and services. Improve Foreign Exchange Supply: by easing commodity export requirements to encourage exportation and supply of foreign exchange; Curbing illegal export of solid minerals; and increasing crude oil production to earn more foreign exchange.
“Support improved Enforcement efforts: by reviewing the extant criminal justice laws in the States to ensure quick dispensation of justice on perpetrators of insecurity in the States; supporting the office of the National Security Adviser in the States to enhance the nature and quality of intelligence.
Furthermore, the governors reiterated their commitment to implementing emergency food interventions, such as incentivizing food production and releasing food items from strategic reserves. They also pledged to collaborate with food producers and traders to bolster food availability in the short term.
The statement from the NGF underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address the multifaceted challenges facing the nation. By prioritizing security and food stability, the governors aim to safeguard the well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians.