Insecurity: Obaseki to Host South-south Governors’ Council Meeting

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Thursday, January 18, 2024 play host to the governors of the South-south States of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta otherwise called the ‘BRACED’ commission.

In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the meeting which will be held in Benin City will be attended by the governors of the six South-south states.

The BRACED commission was established in 2010 under Article 14 of the BRACED Agreement and signed on June 13, 2011 with the objective to promote economic cooperation and regional integration, among the South-south States, contributing to the increasing standards of living of the people of the region.

Nehikhare noted: “The six governors of the South-south region will be meeting in Benin City, the capital of Edo State on Thursday 18th January 2023 under the auspices of the BRACED Commission.”

“As the chairman of the BRACED Commission Governors’ Council, the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki will host his colleagues, the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta states alongside their commissioners of Budget and Planning.”

According to Nehikhare this first meeting of the South-south governors in 2024 will focus on how to revive and strengthen the BRACED Commission and the region’s aspiration for collective economic development and integration.

He added: “Issues that will be deliberated on are issues relating to the security of lives and property of the region and how to effectively embed its knowledge sharing and peer review mechanism. At the end of the meeting a communique will be issued.”