The Director General of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), Hon. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, has lauded the Forum’s steady growth and deepening national impact, describing its progress since 2022 as “unprecedented in the history of the organisation.”
Speaking at the opening of the 4th National Conference of the Forum in Abuja on Tuesday, Hon. Ibe-Kalu attributed the achievements to divine grace, visionary leadership, and the collective commitment of members across the country.
“I must start by thanking God Almighty for His abundant grace that has enabled us to achieve so much since 2022, when the current leadership of the Forum came on board,” he said.
“The Forum has never experienced the type of steady growth and robust development it enjoys today.”
The Director General commended the National Chairman, His Excellency Dr. Chris Akomas for his “wonderful commitment and resolve” in steering the Forum to greater heights.
Hon. Ibe-Kalu highlighted several key achievements, including the establishment of the Polish-Nigeria Business Council, a partnership expected to boost bilateral trade and investment between both countries.
He also announced the Forum’s relocation to a new Secretariat in the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja, describing the move as befitting of the Forum’s rising profile.
Ibe-Kalu further revealed that the Forum had fulfilled one of its major resolutions from the previous year — the formation of a Peer Review Group to monitor the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The initiative, he noted, was designed to strengthen democratic accountability and ensure policies reflect the needs of Nigerians.
He further disclosed that the Forum was preparing to launch a book project documenting the public service experiences of its members, aimed at preserving their “rich tour of duty” for future generations.
In the area of advocacy, he said, the Forum has engaged major political parties to ensure that serving and former Deputy Governors are recognized and assigned roles befitting their status. It has also submitted a memoranda to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendment to push for reforms that will deepen Nigeria’s democratic practice.
Within the period under review, the Forum instituted the Nation-Builders Awards to honor Nigerians whose contributions have significantly advanced the cause of nation-building.
The Director General expressed appreciation to the Forum’s leadership, members, and media partners for their support, noting that the achievements recorded so far were the result of teamwork, understanding, and shared vision.
Looking ahead, Hon. Ibe-Kalu called for global partnerships to enable the Forum to contribute more meaningfully to issues such as youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development.
“The Forum is ready to explore partnerships that will yield mutual benefits and tap into the wealth of experience of our members to address national and global challenges,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the Forum’s work would continue to attract the attention of political leaders and stakeholders, further cementing its role in Nigeria’s democratic and developmental journey.
“Together, we will leave lasting legacies for the next generation of Nigerians to cherish,” he concluded.
