TO:
Governors in Nigeria

Sirs,

After careful observation as to why Nigeria has continued to experience ceaseless leadership failure at National and State levels, the above named Movement has taken it upon herself to write to you in order to bring to your attention and to emphasise that for a progressive Nigeria to happen, the place of State Governors is key and indispensable even so as members of the National Economic Council.

We have carefully seen that the government is closer to the people at the state level, hence the reason for which we believe Governors must begin to give priority attention to the social welfare, security, and economic prosperity of their people.

This can be achieved, for example:

1. Through the provision of free and compulsory education up to vocational level in every state in Nigeria. This will reduce juvenile delinquencies, prevent uneducated kids from becoming bandits, or become feeders to eg boko haram insurgency. Clearly, an uneducated population is a recipe for disaster.
2. By addressing the problem of unemployment and arresting youth restiveness. To this end, we believe that the sincerity and commitment of a state governor is paramount to addressing these challenges. Indeed, State governors in collaboration with the FG should establish a Vocational Training Institute where every youth in the state irrespective of their background could be trained in the acquisition of their choiced skills for a minimum period of six months, for example, and be financially guided to become entrepreneurs. Additionally, Governors should set up a regular interface between the state government and their youth groups ( eg, via regular town hall meetings)in order to carry the youths along.
3. We believe that Nigeria would be a lot more better and prosperous if governments at State and Local levels are given more autonomy to map out plans and strategies on how to empower their indigenes and state inhabitants without unnecessary federal government interference in the services they render to their people.
4. We believe that the creation of State Police and a well planned and implemented free and compulsory Vocational Training Institute for the youths would make the high level of insecurity at the State levels to become a thing of the past. We therefore welcome the recent Governors-President agreement to push for the establishment of State Police even though belated. However, there should be effective safeguards to ensure the State police is not used for the political witch-hunt against the opposition.
5. We also believe that the moment every State governor in Nigeria begin to respond to the needs and aspiration of their people through the provision of effective leadership, accountability and good governance, the unnecessary interference of the federal government would be inconsequential as state inhabitants would become loyal and positively responsive to the leadership of their governors. Which is why:
   i .we propose that all States should control their resources and
   ii .vigorously implement revenue generating mechanism taking a cue from Lagos State.

This is also because we believe that the practice of Governors going to Abuja to share and bring home money on behalf of their respective States belittles their executive offices.

6. With resource control, states can remit, for example, 38% of their resources to the FG and keep 62%. Indeed, states will become viable as a consequence, and state inhabitants will enjoy the dividend of democracy.
7. For there to be an effective delivery of good governance at the state level, we believe that the state houses of assemblies and judiciaries should enjoy full financial autonomy. That way, the executive, legislative, and judicial arm of governance will be truly separated at the state level akin to the federal level. This will also make democracy work better at the grassroots of Nigeria.
8. Additionally, Local Government Areas( LGA) should enjoy financial autonomy and democratically elected. Chairmen should ultimately be held accountable at the ballot box as against being sacked by governors.

This is a win-win for Governors, State Assemblies, State judiciaries, and Local Government Areas and a win for the State inhabitants.

9. To achieve these constitutional changes, Governors should work with members of the National Assembly from their respective States.

We are convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that you, the governors, understand and equally know that you occupy a place of pride and importance in the new Nigeria that everyone earnestly seeks.

Nigeria will truly be great if Governors occupy their rightful place by leveraging their influence in line with our humble recommendations

Kindly accept the assurances of our highest regards

SIGNED:
Pastor Columbus Izobe-Abumere
(Founder, Ex- Chairman Board of Trustees, Patron and Director of affairs)
Engr. Shanu Musiliu Eric
(Member of the Pioneers and Director of Strategic Operations)
Fisayo Fakayode (FISFAK)
(National President and Chairman Board of Trustee)
Jerome Okolo
(National Secretary and Secretary Board of Trustee)