President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly lauded Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi over his election as President of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF), in his capacity as Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The election was held at the weekend during the Forum’s conference in Casablanca region.
Fayemi has also been congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who said the honour goes beyond the Governor as an individual and is for the entire country.
Fayemi is the outgoing Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Receiving a delegation made up Governors Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State and Fayemi himself at State House on Monday, the President said: “In spite of the security challenges we have, it is good to see that other countries still believe in our potentialities. Congratulations for doing justice to Nigeria. We thank you”.
President Buhari also thanked all other countries that queued behind Nigeria to emerge FORAF President, noting that it was a good show of brotherhood and solidarity.
Sule said the conference was well attended by Governors and participants from about 22 African countries, where regional issues were discussed, and Memoranda of Understanding signed on different areas like agriculture, mining, education, scholarships, and many others.
He added that while Nigeria, from West Africa, clinched the Presidency, Vice Presidents emerged from South Africa for Southern Africa; Kenya for East Africa; Morocco for Northern Africa; and Cameroon for Central Africa.
Fayemi, who relinquishes the Presidency to the next NGF Chairman at the expiration of his tenure in office on 15 October, said the idea of FORAF was for sub-nationals to become engines of growth, “and reduce pressure on central governments.”
He added that FORAF was a unifying force for states (called regions, counties or provinces in other countries) “to create a globally respected continent”, submitting that Nigeria’s election was a testimony to the huge respect President Buhari enjoys in Africa.
“Other countries simply withdrew their bids once they saw that Nigeria was interested in the position”, he disclosed.
On his part, Tinubu praised Fayemi for enjoying the trust and confidence of his peers across Africa who deemed it fit and proper to make him their leader.
He said the Ekiti State governor had always demonstrated capacity and competence in handling any responsibility entrusted to him.
Tinubu said: “I warmly congratulate Dr Kayode Fayemi on his election as the President of Forum of Regions of Africa.
“I am particularly happy that his peers across the continent found him worthy of this rare honour which goes beyond him as an individual.
“Dr Fayemi’s emergence is another resounding recognition for Nigeria’s preeminent position in Africa.
“I have no doubt that Dr Fayemi will justify the trust and confidence in him by his peers and provide credible leadership for the fledging organisation as it seeks to play its role in the development of our continent.
“I have known Dr Fayemi for many years and his capacity for excellence is noteworthy. I am sure he will rally his colleagues across Africa to bring greater focus on issues that affect sub-national governments and rally them to assume greater roles and visibility that will catalyse the growth and development we desire for our continent”.
