Communique issued at the first meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Held on, January 11, 2010 at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge

1. Recently, the US Transport Security Administration (TSA), an Agency under the Department of Homeland Security listed Nigeria as a “country of interest” alongside countries as Yemen, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan etc effective January 4, 2010 following the December 25, 2009 incident involving a Nigerian national Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab accused of attempting to bomb Northwest Flight 253, a US-bound flight to Detroit, Michigan. We note with dismay and grave concern the alleged attack and have resolved to publish a comprehensive press release on this mater.

2. Regarding the issue of excess crude, the Forum resolved that the fund belongs to both the States and Federation Government and as such the Federal Government alone has no discretion of its use.

3. The States have all agreed to facilitate 1billion naira to small scale farmers. These are loans for which each state is expected to develop its own operational mechanism.

4. We noted the significance of the Peer Review Exercise which has been conducted in 18 states and we are happy to note the value addition recorded through the Peer Review especially in terms of information exchange of leading best practices/benchmarks.

5. We reaffirm our commitment to the Midwives Services Scheme (MSS) which have taken off by signing of an MoU by 32 States (including FCT) with the deployment of 2200 midwives already sent to various communities. This will impact heavily in reducing child and infant mortality. 6. Following a Presentation made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Forum agreed to continue to partner with the Federal Government in achieving the MDGs.