The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has appealed for an urgent discussion among stakeholders to address the food inflation, naira depreciation and rising insecurity across parts of the country.
The NGF made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday by its Chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, after its emergency virtual meeting.
AbdulRazaq said members of the forum deliberated on the security situation and food stability in the country, stressing that the governors at the meeting were briefed by National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the representative, Director-General of the Department of State Service.
“We all agreed that it is important to address the connection between food inflation, naira depreciation and rising insecurity across parts of the country from a systemic perspective.
”The governors also agreed on immediate actions, including reduction of foreign exchange demand by use of moral persuasion to reduce dependence on foreign exchange, imported goods and services,” he said.
He added that such immediate action should also be achieved by curtailing illegal export of solid minerals and increasing crude oil production to earn more foreign exchange.
According to him, there was the need to 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.
“We pledged support to the office of the National Security Adviser in the states to enhance the nature and quality of intelligence, “ he said.
