The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum.
This forum, consisting of governors from the southern region of Nigeria, plays a crucial role in addressing regional issues and coordinating policies among the states. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has been selected to serve as his deputy.
The announcement came from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also serves as the chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum. The declaration followed a meeting held at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, on Monday.
During his acceptance speech, Governor Abiodun expressed his commitment to the role and the trust placed in him and his deputy by their fellow governors. “I pledge not to betray the confidence reposed in me and my vice by our colleagues,” he stated.
Governor Abiodun succeeds the late Rotimi Akeredolu, the former governor of Ondo State, and is expected to continue the efforts to drive growth and development in the region.
The meeting, which lasted over five hours, saw the participation of thirteen governors and three deputy governors. Notably, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was absent from the event.