The Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria says it will use its forthcoming National Conference to address the growing disconnect between leadership and citizens, as well as the breakdown of family and societal values.
Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Chris Akomas, stated this in Abuja after the Forum’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting, which focused on preparations for the 2026 annual national conference.
Akomas explained that the NEC meeting, comprising the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, was part of the Forum’s regular activities aimed at reviewing its programmes and putting final arrangements in place for the conference.
He said the meeting was also to ensure that the conference would be impactful and communicate its objectives effectively to members, government and Nigerians.
The Forum chairman said this year’s conference, scheduled for October 20 and 21, would focus on the theme, “Rethinking Nation Building: Bridging the Leadership-Citizen Disconnect through Orientation, Attitude, Character, Culture and Tradition Towards Sustainable Development.”
According to him, the disconnect in Nigeria goes beyond the relationship between government and citizens, extending to families, communities and other areas of national life.
Akomas expressed concern over challenges including drug abuse, addiction, poor application of education and skills, and the desire among some young people to make quick money, saying these were indications of deeper disconnects within society.
He called for stronger family bonds and parental responsibility, urging parents to create time to interact with their children, share meals and provide the guidance and values required for responsible adulthood.
The former deputy governor said addressing the disconnect would help Nigerians understand that they do not live for themselves alone, but have responsibilities towards one another and the wider society.
Also speaking, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, urged mothers to play a stronger role in strengthening family values and raising responsible children.
Tallen said mothers should make time for their families, describing them as the heart of the home, while urging them to work with their husbands to provide proper upbringing and guidance for their children.
She stressed that children represent the future hope of Nigeria and called on parents to ensure that their children grow to become better than themselves for the development of the country.
On his part, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the Forum’s Mr. Abdulmalik Mahmood said the conference would bring together distinguished Nigerians to examine where the country came from, where it is today and where it is heading.
He described the disconnect in Nigeria’s polity, leadership and governance as a serious challenge, saying the Forum would use the conference to interrogate the issues before presenting its position to Nigerians and government.
