The Governor of Borno State, Mr Kashim Shettima on Monday emerged Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum.
The body, which has 19 members, also voted Kano State Governor-elect, Abdullahi Ganduje, as Vice Chairman.
Shettima will replace the outgoing Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, whose tenure ends this month.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting held at the Niger State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, Aliyu said the northern governors were determined to mediate in order to unite governors across party lines for the development of the nation.
Aliyu said, “The goal is to mediate and unite the Nigeria Governors Forum, that has been fragmented in the past few years.”
He explained that the northern governors resolved, among other things, to address the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, tackle the problems of poverty, marginalisation and unemployment.
Aliyu added that the forum was also working with the office of Vice President, Namadi Sambo, to revive the New Nigeria Company, located in Kaduna.
In his acceptance speech, Shettima assured his colleagues that under his leadership, governors would unite in the war against Boko Haram menace.
He also promised to work together with his colleagues, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliation, to confront the challenges confronting the North.
