The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, has congratulated the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi on his election as the new president of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF).
The Speaker in a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Akogun Tai Ogunyayo, described the new position as a giant stride to Nigeria as a whole. “Dr Fayemi is a pride, not only to Ekiti State but also to the entire nation”
Governor Fayemi who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), was elected at the conference which was well attended by Governors and participants from about 22 African countries.
The Speaker further stated that “among the comity of States in Nigeria, Ekiti has now been taken to the global stage where regional issues were discussed and memorandum of understanding (MOUs) signed on different areas of world economy.”
This new feat, according to the release, “will be beneficial to our State in particular and Nigeria as a whole in the areas of agriculture, mining, education, scholarships, and many others.”
Afuye who was delighted to note that other countries withdrew their bids for Nigeria, stated that “this is the first time such an international recognition will be accorded to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) since its formation.”
Nigeria, from West Africa, clinched the Presidency of the forum while Vice Presidents emerged from South Africa for Southern Africa; Kenya for East Africa; Morocco for Northern Africa; and Cameroon for Central Africa.
FORAF is a unifying force for States (called Regions, Counties, or Provinces in other countries) to create a globally respected continent.