Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria, FFDGN, for sustaining its contributions to national development beyond partisan politics.
Jonathan made the commendation during a visit to the FFDGN headquarters in Abuja, where he expressed surprise at the scale and facilities of the forum’s newly established office.
The former president, who described it as his first visit to the facility, said its structure and well-furnished offices reflected the growth and institutional development of the forum.
He said touring the facility and listening to the history of the organisation reminded him of his experience as a deputy governor in 1999, describing the period as the beginning of a long journey for many members of the forum.
Jonathan said the facility had preserved the history and activities of former deputy governors while providing a platform for them to continue contributing to national development.
He noted that the contributions of former deputy governors should go beyond politics, stressing that their experience could also support commerce, industry and Nigeria’s engagement with the international community.
The former president therefore commended the forum for its activities and urged its members to sustain the initiative.
Earlier, Chairman of the FFDGN, Dr Chris Akomas, said the forum was established to provide former deputy governors with a common platform to speak with one voice.
Akomas recalled that the idea of establishing the forum was initially suggested by Jonathan, who, according to him, believed that former deputy governors should come together to share their experiences and contribute to the development of the country.
He said the forum had since grown beyond speaking with one voice to pursuing a common purpose centred on Nigeria’s progress, stability, unity and the strengthening of democracy.
The FFDGN chairman said the forum’s activities were focused on the welfare of Nigerians irrespective of their state of origin, religion, political affiliation or other differences.
Akomas called for greater cooperation among Nigerians, stressing that the responsibility of transforming the Nigerian dream into reality rested on citizens and leaders alike.
He urged members of the forum and Nigerians generally to work together to build a country that would benefit all citizens.
