FG urges incoming Governors to prioritize security in their States

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Federal Government has harped on the need for the incoming administration, at sub-national level, to prioritize security in their states.

It expressed worry that several states are spending a considerable share of their budgets on security.

Similarly, the government has declared that the task of defining a clear path to real development and prosperity for the people should now be the priority of the incoming administration, now that elections are over.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha stated these on Tuesday in a keynote address he presented at the ongoing induction of returning and newly elected state governors at the Bouquet hall, State House, Abuja.

Mustapha warned that the trend of excessive spending on security is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, if nothing is done to reverse it.

According to the SGF, “Nigeria that is resurgent economically must also be a Nigeria that is more at peace with itself and more secure.

“Today, more than ever, several states are spending a considerable share of their budgets on security, displacing the resources that are needed for development,” he said.

He noted with dissatisfaction that the amount of investable territory available in Nigeria, is decreasing, and blamed it on the country’s high incidence of violent conflict.

His words, “It is imperative therefore that we acknowledge the close ties that exist between security, economic development, investment, and growth.

“This recognition in my view will help to shape our priorities as we take the driver’s seat in a few days from today,” Mustapha added.

The SGF tasked the incoming administration to strive hard to meet the yearnings of Nigerians and define a clear path to real development and prosperity for all.

His words, “Elections are over and the task of meeting the yearnings of Nigerians and defining a clear path to real development and prosperity for all, beckons. A call we must respond to.

“As we seat here today, Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of poverty, healthcare, education, limited infrastructure, and a recovering economy.

“A lot has been done by succeeding administrations both at the Federal and Sub-National Level, but a lot more effort is required, given that no single administration can address the myriad of developmental challenges that faces our nation”, he stressed.

The SGF however charged the incoming and re-elected Governors to invest on youth and FinTech development, advising that they should move away from the so-called ‘youth empowerment programme.

In his reasoning, “The youths do not need handouts, They need investments that will propel them to wealth creators.

“A young, productive, youthful population, with access to education, skills, social protection, affordable housing, and medical care, will power Nigeria’s economy, now and well into the future.

“More decisive actions are needed to turn this demographic asset into an economic dividend”, he said.

Mustapha further enjoined the incoming Governors to invest in FinTech sector if they are to match up with current and future trend.

He noted that FinTech will rapidly change the future of e-commerce, trade, health, and finance, stating that international firms like Google and others are willing to bring their resources given the potential returns.

The SGF described the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the organisers of the event as “a voice of reason in managing critical issues of governance between the states and the Federal Government.”

He advised the incoming governors to encourage their Secretary to State Government (SSG) to join the Forum for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Secretary to State Governments (SSGs), pointing put that the platform provides the opportunity for effective interaction, between the federal and states, on issues of mutual benefits.

According to him, “It is also an avenue for peer review and adaptation of best practices in the areas of policies, programmes and agenda articulation and implementation for effective delivery of services to citizens.

“As a body, we have made resolutions during many of our meetings which has helped to shape the policy coordination functions in various states.

“Key areas of focus in recent times have been around performance management and delivery as well as transition management amongst others,” Mustapha noted.