Governor Ododo Attends Northern Governors’ Forum Meeting in Kaduna

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
July 8, 2026

The Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is currently participating in the meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council, holding today at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

The meeting is hosted by the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Forum, His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

Governor Ododo is represented at the meeting by his Deputy, His Excellency Comrade Joel Salifu, who is accompanied by the Deputy Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Shehu Seidu Amodu, and other government officials.

Also in attendance are the Governors of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode; the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Sule Garo, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau; the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Engr. Idris Mohammed Gobir; the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur; alongside senior government officials and distinguished delegates accross the Northern States.

Also in attendance are representatives of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). The gathering equally features former Inspectors-General of Police, retired military, police and paramilitary officers of Northern extraction, as well as former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation.

During the meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Northern States Security Trust Fund was inaugurated as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration in tackling security challenges and promoting peace across Northern Nigeria. The Forum appointed Hon. Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, former minister of defence to head the committee.

The meeting is also attended by eminent traditional rulers and religious leaders, including His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto; HRH, Dr. Umar Farouk Bahago, CON, Emir of Minna; HRH, Major General Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar (Rtd.), CFR, Emir of Potiskum, HRH Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, Shehu of Borno; HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and the Attah of Igala and President Kogi State Council of Chiefs, HRM, Alhaji Matthew Opaluwa Oguche Akpa II, CFR, who is represented by the Ejeh of Ankpa, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Ahmed Yakubu, among other first class traditional rulers in the region.

The Forum is expected to deliberate on critical issues affecting Northern Nigeria, including regional security, economic development, agriculture, education, healthcare, constitutional reforms, and other strategic initiatives aimed at fostering peace, unity, and sustainable development across the region.