Diri emerges South-South Govs’ forum’s Chairman, as Okpebholo shuns the Bayelsa meeting

Governors of the South-South geopolitical zone on Tuesday met in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital on economic and security issues plaguing the region.

In attendance at the meeting were Governors Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) and the host governor Duoye Diri (Bayelsa).

Curiously, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was noticeably absent. The governor did not send his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, to represent him at the meeting that seeks to foster regional development and cooperation.

Meanwhile, a communique issued on Tuesday after their meeting disclosed that Senator Diri, a serving two-term governor, has emerged chairman of the South-South Governors Forum

It read thus: “The South-South Governors’ Forum convened on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, at Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to discuss pressing issues and strategies vital for the unity and development of the region,” the communique read.

“We the Governors representing the States that form the South-South of Nigeria, are committed to collaborative governance, ensuring the well-being of our people, and advancing sustainable development.”

The Governors who expressed their readiness to work in the interests of their States and the South-South region stated their commitment to fostering unity, strengthening collaboration, and pursuing sustainable development for the region.

Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Diri underscored the strategic importance of the gathering, emphasizing the need for greater synergy among the six South-South states, saying critical areas for collaboration are in security, agriculture, and education. Inclusive also are power, environment, tourism, and youth empowerment through sports, ICT, and entrepreneurship.

His words: “The swiftly changing landscape of our country and the world at large highlights the clear and urgent need for enhanced regional collaboration and development. Our shared progress and prosperity are tightly connected to our capacity to work together toward a common aim,” he added.

 “There is the need for us not to shy away from addressing the significant challenges facing the region, with adverse effects of oil exploration and the inadequate returns for the region despite being Nigeria’s economic backbone.

“Everywhere we turn, it seems that the proverbial curse of oil wealth has held us hostage. The decisive action for all of us as governors is to leverage the BRACED Commission, a think-tank established in 1999 to facilitate collective development in the South-South region.

“There is the need for us to move beyond mere communiqués and memoranda. It is time to turn words into action and transform our shared aspirations into tangible results,” he further said.

He also called for the speedy completion of the East-West Road, a critical artery connecting all South-South states. as he emphasized the necessity of catalyzing regional investment and development by focusing on key sectors with immense potential for job creation and socio-economic growth.

Of particular interest to the governor were proposals for a regional flight connection and the establishment of a regional railway line to ease transportation.

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The governor also emphasized the importance of cooperation with the federal government and other regions, saying, “By pooling together our collective wisdom, experiences, and resources, we can devise strategies to prevent and mitigate future security threats.

“May this meeting be a turning point in our collective journey towards realizing our true potential? Together, let us rise above our challenges, seize our opportunities, and fashion a brighter future for our region.

“We called for federal interventionist agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to work more closely with state governments to align with local priorities”, while also expressed gratitude to the attending governors and stakeholders for their dedication to the region’s development.