Nigeria Governors Forum to meet today over doctors’strike, other matters

State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) will on Wednesday hold their 33rd Teleconference meeting to deliberate on the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by resident doctors and other pressing national issues.

According to a statement by the spokesman of NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the meeting will also focus on national poverty reduction and growth strategy, the second phase of Covid-19 vaccinations among other issues.

The statement read in part, “The Director-General of the NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru in the invitation to the meeting itemised the national poverty reduction and growth strategy, the second phase of the Covid 19 vaccination and other health updates, as well as the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Association of resident Doctors, and the campaign for building a new mindset for a united Nigeria as some of the crucial issues to dominate the meeting.

“The meeting which promises to be very heavy on solving critical national questions will also dwell on states’ participation in Nigeria Electrification Project and Solar Power Naija, in a presentation by the nation’s Rural Electrification Agency.

“The Nigerian Security Minting and Printing Company will also address the Forum on how to leverage Modern Security Document Solutions.

“The Campaign on Building a New Mindset for a United Nigeria will be anchored by Ambassadors of Voice for Change led by Bala Ahmed & Zack Orji.”

According to the statement, other items on the agenda include an update on the refund of WHT and Stamp Duties, the Nigerian Postal Service Bill, 2021 and collection of Stamp Duties, and the recently signed Petroleum Industry Bill where the governors are expected to identify next steps among other issues.

“The health update by the NGF Health Advisor, Dr Ahmad Abdulwahab will be embroidered by another update on the 2nd Phase of Covid-19 Vaccination by Dr Faisal Shuaib, while the Gov. Okowa Committee of the NGF will brief governors on its appraisal of the PTF thus far.

“The NGF Chairman, Dr John Kayode Fayemi’s Keynote address to the Association for General & Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria where he enjoined the doctors to honour the Hippocratic oaths by seeking other means of pushing their demands and avoid resorting to strikes, is expected to round up the health section of the deliberations,” It added.