Common Ground: Leading Charge at the Subnational

LEADING CHANGE AT THE SUBNATIONAL LEVEL
CO M MON
G R O U N D
A PICTORIAL COMPENDIUM OF THE TENURE OF
DR. KAYODE FAYEMI, CON
AS CHAIRMAN, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM
AYO OGUNRO

COMMON
G R O U N D
LEADING CHANGE AT THE SUBNATIONAL LEVEL
A PICTORIAL COMPENDIUM OF THE TENURE OF
DR. KAYODE FAYEMI, CON
AS CHAIRMAN, NIGERIA GOVERNORS’ FORUM
AYO OGUNRO

CONTENTS
Published in Nigeria in 2022 by
PageMEdia Productions
Plot 896, Mohammed L. Hassan Street,
Off Olu Awotesu Street, Jabi District, Abuja, Nigeria.
Copyright © 2022 Ayo Ogunro
The right of Ayo Ogunro to be identified as the author of
this work has been asserted by him in accordance with
the copyright law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
All rights reserved.
Other than brief excerpts for reviews and commentaries,
no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.
ISBN: 978-978-794-929-0
Printed by
Pramodh Ramakrishnan
pramodh@hotmail.com
8 Foreword
10 Introduction
12 NGF Past Chairmen
16 Kayode Fayemi as the Seventh Chairman of the NGF
61 The Kayode Fayemi Era as Common Ground
255 Development Partnership
310 Afterword
08032351200
ayoogunro@gmail.com
@ayoogunro
@ayoogunro
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His Excellency
DR. OKEZIE VICTOR
IKPEAZU
Governor of Abia State
His Excellency
DR. ABDULLAHI UMAR
GANDUJE OFR
Governor of Kano State
His Excellency
DR. SAMUEL ORTOM
Governor of Benue
State
His Excellency
ENGR. ABDULLAHI SULE
Governor of Nasarawa
State
His Excellency
DR. JOHN KAYODE
FAYEMI CON
Governor of Ekiti State
His Excellency
RT. HON. SIMON BAKO
LALONG
Governor of Plateau
State
His Excellency
MR UDOM EMMANUEL
Governor of Akwa Ibom
State
His Excellency
SEN. ABUBAKAR ATIKU
BAGUDU
Governor of Kebbi State
His Excellency
SEN. PROF. BEN AYADE
Governor of Cross River
State
His Excellency
PRINCE DAPO
ABIODUN, MFR
Governor of Ogun State
His Excellency
ALH. MUHAMMADU
INUWA YAHAYA
Governor of Gombe
State
His Excellency
RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI
TAMBUWAL CFR
Governor of Sokoto
State
His Excellency
SEN. BALA ABDULKADIR
MOHAMMED CON
Governor of Bauchi
State
His Excellency
ABDULRAHMAN
ABDULRAZAQ
Governor of Kwara
State
His Excellency
ENGR. DAVE UMAHI CON
Governor of Ebonyi
State
His Excellency
ISIAKA ADEGBOYEGA
OYETOLA
Governor of Osun State
His Excellency
ALHAJI MUHAMMADU
BADARU ABUBAKAR
MON, mni
Governor of Jigawa
State
His Excellency
HON. MAI-MALA BUNI
Governor of Yobe State
His Excellency
RT. HON. AHMADU
UMARU FINTIRI
Governor of Adamawa
State
His Excellency
RT. HON. AMINU BELLO
MASARI
Governor of Katsina
State
His Excellency
PROF. BABAGANA
UMARA ZULUM mni, FNSE
Governor of Borno State
His Excellency
ABUBAKAR SANI BELLO
Governor of Niger State
His Excellency
RT. HON. IFEANYI
UGWUANYI
Governor of Enugu
State
His Excellency
MR. NYESOM EZENWO
WIKE Con, GSSRS, POS
Governor of Rivers State
His Excellency
PROF. CHARLES
CHUKWUMA SOLUDO CFR
Governor of Anambra
State
His Excellency
ALHAJI YAHAYA BELLO
Governor of Kogi State
His Excellency
SEN. DR. IFEANYI
OKOWA CON
Governor of Delta State
His Excellency
ROTIMI AKEREDOLU CON, SAN
Governor of Ondo State
His Excellency
SEN. HOPE UZODIMMA
Governor of Imo State
His Excellency
ARC. DARIUS DICKSON
ISHAKU FNIA
Governor of Taraba
State
His Excellency
SEN. DOUYE DIRI
Governor of Bayelsa
State
His Excellency
BABAJIDE OLUSOLA
SANWO-OLU
Governor of Lagos State
His Excellency
MR. GODWIN
NOGHEGHASE OBASEKI
Governor of Edo State
His Excellency
ENGR. SEYI MAKINDE
Governor of Oyo State
His Excellency
MALAM NASIR AHMAD
EL-RUFAI
Governor of Kaduna
State
His Excellency
DR. BELLO M.
MOHAMMED MON
Governor of Zamfara
State
THE 36 STATES GOVERNORS, 2022

8 9
Dr. Kayode
Fayemi is a
gentleman
of admirable
disposition, whom I have known
for over two decades. A person
who is greatly admired and
respected for his amiable
composure and his deep
intellect. His trajectory as an
academic, an activist, a security
expert and a principled political
leader in contemporary Nigeria
has continued to endear him
to many of his friends and
Associates in and out of the
political arena.
This book, “Common Ground”,
which is a photo kaleidoscope
of the Kayode Fayemi era at
the Nigeria Governors’ Forum
(NGF), brings to vivid memory
the many aspects of Fayemi’s
service to the nation through
his Chairmanship of the NGF.
There is no doubt the NGF is
about the most influential
non-partisan political caucus
in our nation’s political system;
therefore, whoever chairs the
Forum will surely be inundated
with numerous matters of
national importance. Fayemi
embodied the energy, the
initiatives and the character to
steer the wheel of the Forum,
which he did excellently.
As a major private sector
player in the Nigerian
economy, I have had the
privilege of interacting with
Fayemi closely on a number of
issues ranging from security,
the business environment
and other issues of concern
to the organised business
community. You cannot
but admire his intelligence,
creativity, patriotism,
commitment, diligence and
bridge-building capacity.
This, he mostly demonstrated
during the COVID-19 pandemic
when he mobilised the
Governors and other key
stakeholders to curb the
spread of the pandemic. The
Forum and the Presidential
Task Force committee worked
relentlessly with the private
sector to mobilise resources
desperately needed to combat
the spread of the deadly virus.
This book has partially done
justice to his Chairmanship
by highlighting some of the
defining milestones that led
to the success of his era as
Chairman of the NGF. I want
to congratulate Dr. Kayode
Fayemi for leading the NGF
in a difficult time without any
scandal or crisis and for his
excellent and fruitful leadership
of his colleagues, I want to
congratulate the author
and ace photographer, Ayo
Ogunro for doing an excellent
job of visual documentation,
something that seems to me,
novel.
I am sure friends, readers,
historians and librarians will
find this book quite insightful.
I am therefore very proud to
recommend it to the reading
public
Aliko Dangote, GCON
President/Chief Executive
Dangote Group
FOREWORD
This book, “Common Ground”, which is
a photo kaleidoscope of the Kayode
Fayemi era at the Nigeria Governors’
Forum (NGF), brings to vivid memory
the many aspects of Fayemi’s
service to the nation through his
Chairmanship of the NGF.

10 11
INTRODUCTION
Ihave Ayo Ogunro, the
ace VIP photographer,
to thank for coming
up with this beautiful
book entitled Common
Ground, a compendium of
the memorable days of Dr.
Kayode Fayemi, CON, as
the Chairman of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF). The
title of the book itself reflects
the philosophy of Dr. Kayode
Fayemi, as a bridge builder
and peacemaker who has
demonstrated great candour
and maturity in the leadership
of the Forum. The book takes a
look at the coming of Fayemi,
the dominant motifs of his
chairmanship and the legacies
of his era.
national disasters, by way
of group condolence visits,
donations and coordinated
activities to help the victims
are some of the moments that
are documented in this book
for posterity.
He was the chairman of the
NGF at about the most trying
time in the country since the
return of democratic order in
1999. He was elected to head
the Forum some months
before the outbreak of the
COVID-19 pandemic, which
soon shook the whole world to
its foundation.
Taking public health and
pandemic management as
if they are strictly State and
municipal mandates, he seized
upon the moment to place
the Forum at the forefront
of coordinating policies to
comprehensively combat the
pandemic. He led by personal
example to ensure that critical
measures were competently
handled. These included
interstate-lockdowns, non-
pharmaceutical protocols,
emergency response, resource
mobilisation and so on and
so forth. Doing these, he
made his Ekiti State, where he
was governor, the beacon of
pro-activity and pathfinding
actions. He connected
with relevant international,
regional, national and local
authorities, ensuring that all
plans and efforts were properly
coordinated to contain the
spread of the deadly disease
and keep fatalities low.
More importantly, he saw
to it that the partisan
squabbles that hobbled
previous regimes of the NGF
never happened under his
leadership. He achieved this
with the uncommon visionary
prowess, broadmindedness,
judiciousness, equity, non-
partisanship and mutual
respect that he brought to
the running of the Forum. An
astute manager of plurality,
diversity and the distinctive
individualities of members,
he enjoyed a harmonious
interpersonal relationship with
all members.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the
leader of the Forum, protected
the interests of all member
States and never pursued
any partisan agenda. He was
bipartisan in his consensus-
building, thereby earning and
enjoying the respect and
confidence of his colleagues.
Little wonder, the Fayemi
era exuded unprecedented
collaboration and mutual
understanding among Forum
members and between the
federal government and
the States as well. Such
Ayo, through this book,
strikingly documents the
Kayode Fayemi-era as the
chairman of the Forum. It
brings to the fore, some of the
most outstanding moments
of his time as chairman. The
images are truly iconic and
historical and serve as an
invaluable institutional asset
and memory of his remarkable
leadership of the Forum in a
very trying time.
His numerous statesmanlike
solidarity visits to victims
of violent attacks such as
banditry, kidnapping and
terrorism, mobilisation of
his colleagues to respond
promptly and effectively to
seamlessness manifested in
a general increase in project
collaborations, such as State
Fiscal Transparency and
Accountability Sustainability
(SFTAS), Open Government
Initiative, procurement reforms,
New Erosion and Watershed
Management Programme
(NEWMAP), Nigeria COVID-19
Action Recovery and Economic
Stimulus (NCARES) and many
other intergovernmental
policy collaborations aimed at
enhancing good governance.
Fayemi also led his colleagues
to accept the presidential
proposal for a sum of one
billion United States dollars
(US$1 bn) to be taken from
the Excess Crude Account to
procure twelve Super Tucano
fighter jets for the execution
of the anti-terrorism war in
Nigeria. The procurement has
been a game changer for
the operations of the Nigerian
armed forces in key theatres of
the war. Today, this thoughtful
collaboration has led to
significant successes by a
stronger military and a decline
in the activities of Boko Haram
terrorists.
Asishana Bayo Okauru, Esq
Director General, Nigeria
Governors’ Forum (NGF)
October 2022
Ayo, through this book, strikingly documents the Kayode
Fayemi-era as the chairman of the Forum. It brings to the
fore, some of the most outstanding moments of his time
as chairman. The images are truly iconic and historical and
serve as an invaluable institutional asset and memory of his
remarkable leadership of the Forum in a very trying time.

12 13
NGF PAST CHAIRMEN
ALHAJI ABDULLAHI ADAMU
Chairman, Nigeria Governors’
Forum (NGF)
1999-2004
ARC. OBONG VICTOR BASSEY
ATTAH
Forum (NGF)
2004-2006
LUCKY NOSAKHARE IGBINEDION
Forum (NGF)
2006-2007
DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI
Forum (NGF)
2007-2011
RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI
AMAECHI
Forum (NGF)
2011-2015
ALHAJI ABDULAZIZ YARI
ABUBAKAR
Forum (NGF)
2015-2019
DR. JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI
Forum (NGF)
2019-2022
Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu was born
on July 23, 1946.
On May 29, 1999, he was elected
the Governor of Nasarawa State
on the platform of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) and was
re-elected on April 19, 2003, for
second term.
At the formation of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum in 1999, his
colleagues unanimously elected
him as the pioneer Chairman and
served from 1999 to 2004.
Arc. Obong Victor Bassey Attach
was born on November 20, 1938.
the Governor of Akwa Ibom State
on the platform of the Peoples
second term.
He was elected Chairman of the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum in 2004
to 2006.
Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was
born on May 13, 1957.
the Governor of Edo State on
the platform of the People’s
second term.
He was Chairman of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum from 2006 to
2007.
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki was
born on December 19, 1962.
the Governor of Kwara State
on the platform of the People’s
second term.
He served as Chairman of the
Nigeria Governors’ Forum from
2007 to 2011.
Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, was
born May 27, 1965.
On October 26, 2007, he was
elected the Governor of Rivers
State on the platform of the
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
and was re-elected on April 26,
2011, for a second term.
In 2011, he became the Chairman
of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum
and was elected to continue in
2013 until the end of his tenure in
2015.
Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar,
was born on January 28th, 1968.
On April 26, 2011, he was elected
Governor of Zamfara State on
the platform of the All Nigeria
People’s Party (ANPP) and on April
11, 2015, he was re-elected under
the platform of the All Progressive
Congress (APC) for a second term.
On May 18, 2015, Hon. Yari’s
colleagues in the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum unanimously
elected him as their Chairman.
Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, was born
on February 9th, 1965.
On October 16, 2018, he was
elected as the Governor of Ekiti
State on the platform of the All
Progressive Congress (APC) for a
second term. He previously served
as the Governor of Ekiti State
between 2010 and 2014.
He served as Chairman of Nigeria
Governors’ Forum from May 2019 -
October 2022.

COMMON GROU N D : L EAD I NG CH ANGE AT THE SUBNATIO NAL LEVEL
14 15
COMMON GROUND: LEADING CHANGE AT THE SUBNATIONAL LEVEL

16 17
KAYODE FAYEMI
AS THE SEVENTH
CHAIRMAN OF THE NGF
When Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON, was unanimously
elected by his colleagues on May 22, 2019 to
serve as the seventh Chairman of the NGF,
his vision was to reposition the Forum and to
make it a centre of national consensus building, as well as policy
ideation, incubation and dissemination. He also envisioned the NGF
as a potent mechanism for building national solidarity, developing
shared values, exercising peer review and forging regional
multilateral collaborations.

18 19
As a builder of institutions,
he acknowledged and
promised to leverage the
remarkable achievements of
his predecessors, especially
the first Chair of the Forum,
Senator and former Governor
of Nasarawa State, Senator
(Dr.) Abdullahi Adamu,
CON (1999-2004). His other
predecessors all of whom he
held in the highest esteem
include the following in the
order of succession to the
pioneer chair: former Governor
of Akwa Ibom State, Arc. Obong
Victor Attah (2004-2006);
former Governor of Edo State
State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion
(2006-2007); former Governor
of Kwara State, Senator (Dr.)
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
(2007-2011); former Governor
of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike
Amaechi (2011-2015); and
former Governor Zamfara
State, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari
(2015-2019) who passed the
baton to him (Fayemi – 2019 to
2022).
In his inaugural address to his
colleagues after his election,
he charted the direction of his
focus as NGF chair as follows:
Your Excellencies,
distinguished ladies and
gentlemen, as we celebrate
the past, we also look to
the future with hope and
faith. We look to a future
in which the NGF would
continue to advance our
goals and objectives as a
unified platform – where the
leadership continues to be
accountable; where every
Governor continues to have
an equal voice, and where
the democratic principles of
broad-based consultations
and consensus building are
practised in reaching key
decisions.
We look forward to an NGF
that would continue to
build on the very cordial
relationship we have with the
Presidency and other arms
of government at all levels,
but would not shirk in our
responsibility to constructively
criticise, engage, lobby, and
invariably use all means
within the ambits of the law
to influence the nature of
laws and policies so that they
have greater positive impact
on the citizenry, and lead to
greater peace and harmony
in our great country.
Dr Kayode Fayemi being congratulated by his predecessor
Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, former governor of Zamfara
State as Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Rotimi Akeredolu
join in. This was after the Governors’ Forum chairmanship
election. 22nd May, 2019.
As we all know, in the true
spirit of federalism, and
according to the principles
of subsidiarity, functions
of government should be
performed at the lowest level
possible. In this regard, we
would develop frameworks
to support and encourage
states to domesticate the
progressive programmes
and policies of the Federal
Government which would be
better served with the State
Governments taking the
lead in implementation while
the Federal Government
facilitates and supports.
We look forward to an NGF
that would contribute to
ensuring no State is left
behind on the development
curve. An NGF that would
encourage economic
cooperation between States,
especially within the regions,
and engage development
partners and other enablers
as a bloc towards attracting
more resources and
technical assistance to
achieve our developmental
objectives.
We would strengthen the
capacity of our secretariat
to continue to support
our states with technical
assistance in the areas
of Economic Advisory,
Policy Advisory, Knowledge
Management, and Public
Financial Management, as
well as build on our existing
peer review mechanisms,
while stimulating robust
partnerships and productive
rivalry between states.
Our secretariat would also
continue to drive the activities
of existing committees,
such as the Constitutional
Review Committee; Revenue
Allocation Committee; and
Security committees to
make them more functional
and productive, even as
we explore creating more
committees in keeping with
the exigencies of the times.
We would also strengthen our
capacity to be proactive and
effective in Conflict Resolution
and Mediation in matters of
conflict between member
States, and between our
States and other interested
parties. We shall also not fold
our arms, but would put in all
efforts within the limits of our
mandate to promote peace
and harmony in the country.

20 21
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the
Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
State-owned Universities on March
11, 2021.
Next page: Dr Kayode Fayemi
receiving the French Minister of
Trade and Attractiveness, Mr Franck
Riester, on a courtesy visit at the
NGF Secretariat on April 13, 2021.

22 23

24 25
Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade
making his contribution during one of the
Governors’ retreats held at Transcop Hilton,
Abuja on October 28, 2019.

26 27
Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) MD & CEO, Abbas
Umar Masanawa; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; NGF DG, Asishana Okauru;
NGF Executive Director, Strategy & Research, Lateef O.T Shittu and NGF
Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Mohammed Jibia during NSPMC’S
management team’s visit to NGF Secretariat in Abuja on June 30, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi reading
through his meeting materials
on April 14, 2021.

28 29
Dr Kayode Fayemi reading
through his meeting brief as he
walks through the corridor of
the President’s Banquet Hall, Aso
Villa, for the Governors’ Forum
meeting on April 14, 2021.

30 31
Dr Kayode Fayemi with Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the family of the
late Alhaji Lateef Jakande (former Governor
of Lagos State) receives an award on his
behalf during the Tributes for Media Icons
organised by NPAN in Lagos on May 21, 2021.

32 33
Dr Kayode Fayemi flanked by Niger State Governor,
Abubakar Bello during the commissioning of a road
project in Minna, Niger State on August 3, 2021.
Imo State Deputy Governor, Placid Njoku; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Imo State Governor, Hope
Uzodinma; Ohaneze President-General, Prof. George
Obiozor and former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim
during the commissioning of Chukwuma Nwaoha
Road by the NGF chairman on April 13, 2021.

36 37
Previous page: Dr Kayode Fayemi flanked
by brother-colleagues during a gathering of
Governors in Lagos on July 5, 2021.
Right: NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; leading
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Niger State
Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and Osun State
Governor, Gboyega Oyetola on a condolence
visit to the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
General Ibrahim Attahiru in Abuja on May 24, 2021.

38 39

40 41
Previous page: NGF Chairman,
Kayode Fayemi and NGF Vice
Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal when
he came visiting at the chairman’s
residence in Abuja on June 4, 2021.
Left: Dr Kayode Fayemi during the
launch of Peace and Inclusive
Security Initiative (PISI) by the NGF
in Abuja on July 8, 2021.

42 43
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, during a visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on April 29, 2021.

44 45
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi;
President Muhammadu Buhari; House
of Representatives Speaker, Femi
Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu with other governors,
ministers and dignitaries during the flag-
off ceremony for commercial operation
of Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line in Lagos on
June 10, 2021.

46 47

48 49
World Bank Lead Economist, Marco Hernandez; World Bank Country
Director in Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri; DG, Budget Office of the
Federation, Ben Akabueze; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi, NESG Board
Chairman, Asue Ighodalo and AIT Correspondent, Nancy Iloh-Nnaji
during the launch of the World Bank’s “Nigeria Development Update,
Resilience Through Reforms” in Abuja on June 15, 2021.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; NGF DG, Asishana
Okauru; NGF Director Legal Services, Chijioke Chuku
during their visit to the office of Minister of Labour
and Employment, Chris Ngige on negotiations for
JUSUN/PASAN on May 5, 2021.

50 51
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi leading the
NGF delegation on a solidarity visit to the Kebbi
State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu over the
kidnapping at the Federal Government College,
Kebbi State, on June 19, 2021.
Next page: Dr Kayode Fayemi attending a
meeting with key stakeholders of the National
Peace Committee in Abuja on April 7, 2021.

52 53

54 55
Dr Kayode Fayemi attending a
meeting with key stakeholders of
the National Peace Committee
in Abuja on April 7, 2021.

56 57
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Rivers
State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Ebonyi
State Governor, Engr. David Umahi; Delta
State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde
during the Governors’ meeting in Asaba
on May 11, 2021.
We look forward to an NGF that would
contribute to ensuring no State is left behind
on the development curve. An NGF that
would encourage economic cooperation
between States, especially within the regions,
and engage development partners and
other enablers as a bloc towards attracting
more resources and technical assistance to
achieve our developmental objectives.

58 59
PEER REVIEW: Dr Kayode Fayemi
leading the NGF delegation on
a visit to Malam Alu Agro Allied
Company Limited, Birnin Kudu,
Jigawa State on April 8, 2021.

60 61
THE KAYODE
FAYEMI ERA AS
COMMON GROUND
In conceptualising the title of this book, a flurry of names
was suggested, but the one that best describes the
Fayemi era is ‘Common Ground’. In a world in constant
push and pull by centripetal and centrifugal forces,
such as the alchemic explosions and seismic reverberations of
partisan differences, it is impressive and noteworthy that Kayode
Fayemi became the common ground in which the future NGF
would thrive.

62 63
He is the ambidextrous
diplomat, team leader
and master strategist with
the exemplary capacity to
manage diversity, differences
and tendencies into a
harmonious organic whole.
Fayemi was the common
ground for the multiparty NGF,
where every member found
shelter and focus; he was the
common ground that ended
the usually acrimonious
relationship between the
federal government and the
subnational governments.
ground of attraction to the
many development partners
that offered different forms
of support to sub-national
authorities and people across
the country. But for such
support, some States might
not have been able to do
more than paying salaries.
Such is the galvanising clout
of Kayode Fayemi in the global
development community. He
provided a common ground
for the Forum to become a
policy laboratory, a peer-
review mechanism system
and a powerful force in policy
mainstreaming.
From his many activities, this
book highlights some of his
iconic moments as Chair of
the NGF, presented in three
segments as follow:
common agenda to actualise
set objectives.
The wife of the Chairman
of NGF, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-
Fayemi, a renowned gender
specialist and activist, became
the pioneer Chair of the
Nigerian Governors’ Wives’
Forum (NGSF). This women-
wing of the NGF has assisted
greatly in mainstreaming
gender-related policies and
increasing awareness about
gender-based violence (GBV)
and issues concerning the
vulnerable segments of the
society including children and
elderly persons.
For instance, the women-
wing was able to persuade
the NGF to declare a “state of
emergency” on GBV in June
2020. In December 2020, the
women forum, during the
global 16 Days of Activism
against Gender-Based
Violence, organised a policy
forum with the governors on
how to practically entrench
gender policy beyond rhetoric.
Remarkably, from just 14 states
that domesticated the VAPP
Law before June 2020, 32
states had domesticated the
law by end of December 2021.
Policy & Good
Governance
Advocacy
The NGF under the
chairmanship of Dr. Kayode
Fayemi pursued a number
of advocacy policies and
programmes against gender-
based violence. For the
advocacy, as it concerned
women and children issues,
to penetrate the nooks
and crannies of the whole
federation, the NGF developed
strategic initiatives that
brought the wives of the
governors under an umbrella
for interaction, sharing ideas
and experiences and setting
Similarly, Sexual Assault
Referral Centres (SARCs) as
well as shelters for women and
their children increased across
the states of the federation.
The NGWF also embarked on
the production of a resources
manual to support the work
of the first ladies to entrench
and standardise interventions
through GBV advocacy.
Another significant
achievement of the advocacy
work of the NGWF was the
establishment of the GBV
Survivors’ Fund that empowers
the wives of the governors
to timelessly and in solidarity
respond to the needs of the
survivors of GBV.
The Forum, in conjunction with
the World Bank’s Africa Gender
Innovative Lab (GIL), has
worked together developed
evidence-based policy making
to help in closing gender
disparity. All said and done, the
Fayemi era in the NGF must be
hallmarked as a momentous
period replete with positive
and effective gender policy
initiatives and advocacy.
COVID-19
Pandemic
Response
Like the Biblical thief at night,
the COVID-19 pandemic crept
into Nigeria through an Italian
expatriate in February 2020,
and within a week of the index
case, the nation was dripping
in fear of an overwhelming
situation. In China, Europe and
the United States of America,
large numbers of people were
dying, just as many were in
critical conditions that required

64 65
ventilators. Here in Nigeria,
there was a limited number
of ventilators, just as isolation
centres were not available,
due mainly to the low levels
of investments in the health
sector.
The federal government, in
conjunction with the Lagos
State government, quickly
established the first two
isolation centres in Lagos and
Abuja, one after the other.
But within a month, the NGF
under Dr. Kayode Fayemi,
in cooperation with the
Presidential Task Force (PTF)
and other health-focused
organisations, was able
to mobilise the necessary
resources to establish
makeshift isolation centres
across Nigeria.
Similarly, protective gears,
face masks, hand sanitisers
and other related emergency
requirements aimed at ending
the spread of the pandemic
were procured through a
multi-dimensional effort. The
NGF worked with the PTF on
COVID-19 and the National
Center for Disease Control
(NCDC) to set up testing
centres, mobilise equipment
and give daily updates. The
NGF held countless online
meetings on weekly, and
sometimes, daily basis.
At a risk to their own lives,
members did everything to
ensure that the pandemic did
not go haywire as it had done
in other parts of the world.
Some of the drastic measures
taken by the Governors in their
respective States included
people and also sustain food
security and the supply
chain, as well as facilitate the
recovery of households and
micro-enterprises from total
economic collapse.
Security and
Humanitarian
Intervention
Nigeria has been struggling
with terrorism and the
attendant insecurity since
2009 when the Boko Haram
sect started its violent
campaigns to carve out an
Islamic caliphate within the
country. A new dimension
to the insecurity challenges
however manifested in
the massive kidnapping of
school children, villagers
and travellers by those now
technically tagged ‘bandits’.
In such an atmosphere of
near-anarchy, opportunistic
criminality blossomed, with
rural banditry, cattle rustling,
sheer gangsterism, armed
robbery, herdsmen’s attacks
on farmers and other forms of
violent activities heightening
by the day.
Whereas the governors are
notionally the chief security
officers of their respective
States, in reality, the security
system is in the hands of the
federal government; even
though it is the governor who
gets blamed for whatever
goes wrong with the security of
any particular State. The NGF
has therefore undertaken a lot
of initiatives to strengthen the
security system of the country
widespread lockdown on
the general populace, and
this involved government
and private offices as well as
public places such as markets,
worship centres, event centres,
parks and the like. A variant of
the lockdown policy allowed
some workers to work from
home, taken advantage of
modern IT technology. For
a time, vehicular and even
pedestrian movements were
highly circumscribed. Interstate
movements were seriously
curtailed or even prohibited
in some cases. All these went
alongside strict enforcement
of non-pharmaceutical
protocols such as wearing of
face masks, constant hand
washing and so on, with the
governors themselves leading
by example.
To address the socioeconomic
impact of COVID-19, in 2021, Dr.
Kayode Fayemi inaugurated
a nine-man committee
to give policy direction to
the implementation of the
COVID-19 Action Recovery
and Economic Stimulus
(CARES) programme. The
programme was designed
to support the livelihood of
the poor and vulnerable
households in the states. It is a
jointly developed World Bank-
supported programme aimed
at mitigating the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the
socioeconomic wellbeing of
the people.
The programme was to
empower State governments
t0 enhance the delivery of a
social safety nets, assistance
and basic service to the
to be more responsive to the
challenges that confront the
country today.
As part of the effort to
build consensus on how to
strengthen the country’s
security architecture, the NGF
has sent several delegations
to the president, met with
security-sector players, and
raised a special committee of
the National Economic Council
to find areas of possible
intervention. All of this has led
to some of the successes that
have been achieved in the
fight against terrorism and
violent crimes.
In the circumstances, the
NGF has actively supported
the idea that there should be
multi-level policing, and its
members have undertaken
to experiment with region-
based security organisations
to complement the regular
police. Outfits like Civilian JTF,
Amotekun, Ebube-Agu and
other local vigilante groups,
which have been helpful in
combating criminality in the
rural areas especially, were a
product of such cooperation.
The Forum also intervened by
way of humanitarian activities
in communities and states
that were affected by terror
attacks or natural disaster. For
example, it donated money
to the victims of the Abuja-
Kaduna passenger train terror
attack, as well as victims of
attacks in Plateau State, Borno
State, and Owo, in Ondo State,
among others.

66 67
Dr Kayode Fayemi flanked by brother-colleagues during a gathering of Governors in Asaba on May 11, 2021.

68 69
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi with Governor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a panel discussion
moderated by Dr Ayo Alakija during the African
response Summit in Abuja on February 23, 2022.

70 71
Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello; NGF Chairman,
Kayode Fayemi and Inspector General of Police,
Mohammed Adamu during the meeting of the
National Economic council Ad-Hoc Committee on
Security and Policing on July 2, 2019.
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi
presiding over the meeting of
the National Economic Council
Ad-Hoc Committee on Security
and Policing on July 2, 2019.

72 73
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi discussing with National
Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno and Katsina State
Governor, Aminu Masari shortly after the meeting of the
National Economic Council Ad Hoc Committee on Security
and Policing at NGF Secretariat, Abuja on July 2, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi presented with a
talking drum during the commissioning of the 7.2km
Idi-Ape-Bashorun-Akobo-Odogbo Barracks junction
road dualisation project by Governor Seyi Makinde
administration in Ibadan on September 15, 2022.

74 75
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai; Provost, Anti-corruption Academy,
Professor Sola Akinrinade and Chairman, Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, shortly
after delivering the keynote address at the agency’s Policy
Dialogue on Accountability for Security Votes, held at ICPC
headquarters, Abuja on September 11, 2019.

76 77
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi cutting
the tape to commission Rumuwoji
Market in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State
with Governor Nyesom Wike and
First Lady Eberechi Nyesom-Wike on
September 18, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi
with Rivers State Governor,
Nyesom Wike shortly before the
commissioning of Rumuwoji
Market in Port-Harcourt on
September 18, 2019.

78 79
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi
Akerdolu SAN; Bauchi State
Governor, Bala Mohammed
and Kano State, Governor
walking into NGF’s conference
room for their monthly meeting
on September 18, 2019.
NES Group Chairman, Asue Ighodalo; NGF Chairman and Ekiti State
Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National
Planning, Zainab Ahmed; Debo Odunlana, winner of first position at NES
25th Start-up Pitch Competition; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun;
Sterling Bank PLC Managing Director/CEO Suleiman Abubakar and
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Ikanade Agba
during the NES 25th retreat in Abuja on October 7, 2019.

80 81
Dr Kayode Fayemi giving the
keynote speech at the launch
of the Journal of Association of
Retired Career Ambassadors of
Nigeria (ARCAN) at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Abuja on
December 3, 2019.

82 83
ARCAN National President, Oladapo Fafowora;
Minister for Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen;
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Emir of Kano,
Alhaji Sanusi Lamido; representative of the
Senate President, Senator Bukka; Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada; Minister
of State for Industries, Trade and Investment,
Amb. Mariam Katagum and Minister of
Industries, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo
during the launch of the Journal of the ARCAN
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja on
December 3, 2019.

84 85
leading his brother-governors on
a visit to the National Assembly
where they were received by the
Senate President, Ahmad Lawan;
House of Representatives Speaker,
Femi Gbajabiamila and other
principal officers on October 7, 2019.

86 87
Dr Kayode Fayemi chairing the first NGF meeting in 2022.
The meeting deliberated extensively on security, the
economy, the newly launched National Development Plan
(2021-2025) and States’ responses to the fourth wave of
COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination exercise. The meeting
was addressed by the Special Adviser on Ease of Doing
Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole and World Bank Country
Director, Dr Shubham Chauduri on January 19, 2022.

88 89
NGF Chairman Kayode Fayemi with
representatives of Federal Ministry of
Health led by Dr Banji Filani during their
presentation to the forum on Basic Health
Care Provision Fund on August 14, 2019.

90 91
Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff (COS-COAS), Brig- Gen.
A.M. Umar; Chief of Logistics (Army), Maj- Gen A.O. Akintade; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Farouk
Yahaya; Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj- Gen. A.B. Omozoje and
Deputy Director of Planning, Brig-Gen. I.M. Ahmadu during the
chairman’s visit to the COAS in Abuja on September 8, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi receiving in
audience the Director-General,
NYSC, Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim,
in Abuja November 6, 2020.

92 93
Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Plateau State Governor,
Simon Lalong; immediate past ASUU President, Biodun
Ogunyemi and ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke
during the presention of report of the committee on
needs assessment of Nigerian public universities,
shortly after the NGF meeting with the union at the
forum’s secretariat in Abuja on November 5, 2020.
NGF Chairman & Guest Lecturer Kayode Fayemi,
flanked by Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs (NIIA) DG, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae;
Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji
Akinyemi and others during the institute’s 60th
Distinguished Lecture titled: “Fixing Nigeria for a
Better World” in Lagos on December 9, 2021.

94 95
NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi with Kano State
Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje
during the chairman’s visit to
Kano on May 3, 2022.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi with Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya during the chairman’s visit to Gombe on May 11, 2022.

96 97
Jigawa State Governor, Badaru Abubakar; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Kaduna State First Lady,
Hadiza Isma El- Rufai and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir
El-Rufai during a courtesy visit to the Kaduna State
Governor, in Kaduna on April 15, 2022.
with Borno State Governor. Prof.
Babagana Zulum during the
chairman’s visit to Maiduguri
on May 11, 2022.

98 99
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the NGF
delegation on a visit
to Governor Simon Lalong of
Plateau State to commiserate
with the Government and people
of the state over the killings
in some parts of the state on
September 6, 2021.

100 101
Dr Kayode Fayemi with APC
national leader, Bola Ahmed
Tinubu and others during the
wedding of the daughter of
Minister of Education, Adamu
Adamu at the Bauchi Central
Mosque on January 8, 2022.

102 103
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; NGF
Vice Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal; Kebbi
State Governor, Atiku Bagudu during the
Governors meeting with Speakers of the
36 State Assemblies at NGF Secretariat in
Abuja on April 8, 2022.
Dr Kayode Fayemi chaired the NGF meeting with
Speakers of the 36 State Assemblies. The meeting
deliberated extensively on issues of critical national
importance and reached concrete action points on
constitutional amendment on April 8, 2022.

104 105
Fayemi with Adamawa State
Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri
Yola on May 10, 2022.

106 107
Fayemi with Taraba State
Governor, Darius Ishaku
Jalingo on May 10, 2022.
Fayemi with Plateau State
Governor, Simon Lalong
Jos on May 21, 2022.

108 109
on a courtesy visit to the
Chief of Defence Staff, Major-
General Lucky E.O. Irabor, in
Abuja on February 25, 2021.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Ondo State
Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and NGF DG,
Asishana Okauru on a courtesy visit to the
Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue
Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mamman Nami, in
Abuja on September 17, 2020.

110 111
Dr Kayode Fayemi chaired the NGF
meeting on NEC Sub-Committee
interfacing with the NNPC on revenue
(NNPC committee meeting on oil
price) on February 25, 2021.

112 113
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi;
Jigawa State Governor, Badaru
Abubakar and other NGF
delegates arriving Kaduna
Airport on April 15, 2022.

114 115
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi joining
President Muhammadu Buhari at the
commissioning of the 14km Epe-Ijebuode
Express road, the Ogun city gate 42km
Abeokuta-Sagamu road, and some housing
projects constructed by Ogun State
Governor, Dapo Abiodun on January 13, 2022.

116 117
Dr. Kayode Fayemi led the NGF
delegation on a solidarity visit to
Katsina State Governor, Aminu
Masari on December 22, 2020.

118 119
Dr Kayode Fayemi signed the condolence
register during his solidarity visit to the NGF
Vice Chairman & Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal and the people of the state over
attacks and killings in some parts of the state
on December 14, 2021.

120 121
Dr Kayode Fayemi with former
President Olusegun Obasanjo
during the Committee for the
Goodness of Nigeria (CGN)
meeting in Abuja on December
15, 2021.

122 123
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Obi of Onitsha, His
Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe; Alawe of
Ilawe Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebanji Alabi, when
the Governor paid a courtesy visit to the Obi’s palace
in Onitsha, Anambra State on November 16, 2021.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Obi of Onitsha,
His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe;
Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba
Adebanji Alabi; Member, House of Representatives
(Ekiti central constituency 1), Hon Olusola Fatoba
and palace chiefs when the Governor paid a
courtesy visit to the Obi’s palace in Onitsha
Anambra State, on November 16, 2021.

124 125
NGF Chairman and Guest Lecturer, Kayode Fayemi flanked by visioner of
the annual Zik Lecture series, Senator Ben Obi; Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty
Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Achebe and Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Prof. Charles Esimone, as Gov. Fayemi during the turning
of the sod for the Zik Centre on November 16, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi leading Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo, former NGF Chairmen,
brother-governors on a tour of the Forum’s
Special Library during the commissioning
of the NGF new secretariat building by the
Vice-President On September 20, 2022.

126 127
Fayemi being welcomed to
Edo State on May 20, 2022.

128 129
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi giving remarks
at the 2nd African Sub-sovereign Governments
Network Conference held at the Banquet Hall, Aso
Villa, Abuja, on September 30, 2022.
Next page: NGF Vice Chairman, Aminu
Tambuwal; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi;
President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors of
other regions in Africa at the 2nd African Sub-
sovereign Governments Network Conference
held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja, on
September 30, 2022.

130 131

132 133
NGF DG, Asishana Okauru; NGF Chairman & Ekiti State
Governor, Kayode Fayemi; President Eastern Region of
Morocco, Mr. Abdennabi BIIOUI and Executive Director,
Association of the Regions of Morocco, Mohammed EL
Bachiri during the signing of MOU at the
2nd African Sub-sovereign Governments Network
Conference held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja,
on September 30, 2022.
Dr Kayode Fayemi attending
a virtual meeting November
17, 2020.

134 135
with Edo State Governor, Godwin
Obaseki; during Governor
Fayemi’s visit to Benin City, Edo
State on May 20, 2022.

136 137
Dr Kayode Fayemi
granting an interview
with Forbes magazine on
November 17, 2020.

138 139
Honouree/first female Senior Advocate of
Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folake Solanke; Ekiti
State Governor and NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi, Honouree/Ondo State Governor Rotimi
Akeredolu, SAN; and President, Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, during
the commissioning of NBA Institute Building in
Abuja on June 14, 2022.

140 141
Dr Kayode Fayemi with other
dignitaries during Jigawa State
Governor, Badaru Abubakar
son’s wedding (Nikah) in Kano

142 143
Dr Kayode Fayemi flanked by the
President, Adeleke University, Dr Deji
Adeleke; Minister of State for Budget
and National Planing, Clem Ikanade
Agba; former Osun West Senator,
Demola Adeleke and Minister for
Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare
during a condolence visit to Alhaji
Aliko Dangote over the death of his
brother on November 21, 2021.

144 145
with Benue State Governor,
Samuel Ortom; during Governor
Fayemi’s visit to Makurdi in
Benue State on May 20, 2022.

146 147
LEADING THROUGH COVID-19:
Dr Kayode Fayemi chaired a
virtual meeting of the forum on
April 22, 2020, during the stay-
at-home order, occassioned by
the Covid-19 pandemic.

148 149
Dr Kayode Fayemi received
in audience representatives
of Conference of Speakers
at his residence in Abuja on
December 21, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi with Bayelsa
State Governor, Douye Diri
and Delta State Governor, Sen.
Ifeanyi Okowa shortly before
their meeting at NGF Secretariat,
Abuja on Feb. 26, 2020.

150 151
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi led the NGF
delegation on a condolence visit to NGF Vice
Chairman & Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal over the death of his brother, Alhaji
Muhammadu Bello. In the delegation are Governor
Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Governor Godwin
Obaseki of Edo State on January 21, 2022.

152 153
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Edo State Governor,
Godwin Obaseki; former Imo State Governor,
Emeka Ihedioha during a condolence visit to NGF
Vice Chairman & Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal over the death of his brother, Alhaji
Muhammadu Bello on January 21, 2022.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi with UN
Resident & Humanitarian
Coordinator, Edward Kallon after
a virtual meeting at UN House in
Abuja on July 15, 2020.

154 155
Dr Kayode Fayemi, NGF DG, Asishana
Okauru; Kebbi State Governor, Atiku
Bagudu and Kogi State Governor,
Yahaya Bello during their meeting at NGF
Secretariat in Abuja on February 26, 2020.
ground for the multiparty
NGF, where every member
found shelter and focus; he
was the common ground that
ended the usually acrimonious
relationship between the
federal government and the
subnational governments.

156 157
UNEASY LIES THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN:
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, after landing at the airport in a
Police chopper, making his way through Dei- Dei
bush to see the President on an urgent matter
pertaining to Endsars protest, as the airport road
was blocked owing to the protest. Picture taken at
about 19:07pm on October 19, 2020.

158 159
Dr. Kayode Fayemi on a courtesy visit
to the Executive Secretary, Nigeria
Christain Pilgrimage Commission, Rev.
Yakubu Pam, on his appointment and
assumption of office on July 16, 2020.

160 161
State governors led by NGF Chairman & Ekiti State
Governor, Kayode Fayemi with partners, ministries,
departments, agencies to sign the States Charter
to Sustain Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and
Sustainability (SFTAS) Reforms on August 17, 2022.

162 163
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi,
NGF Vice Chairman with other
partners unveiling the signed
States’ Charter to Sustain Fiscal
Transparency, Accountability and
Sustainability Reforms on August
17, 2022.

164 165
NGF Vice Chairman and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal; TW Media CEO, Adesuwa Onyenokwe; GIG
Group CEO, Chidi Ajaere; Minister of Finance, Budget
and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed; NGF
Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and
Board Chairman of NESG, Asue Ighodalo during the
opening plenary on “Nigeria’s Turning Point” at the 26th
NES held in Abuja on November 23, 2020.
Dr Kayode Fayemi as one of the
panellists during the 26th Nigerian
Economic Summit Retreat in Abuja
on November 23, 2020.

166 167
Imo State Liaison Officer Jimmy Imo; Consultant
Okechukwu Ibeanu; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi;
Plateau State Deputy Governor, Sonni Tyoden; NGF
Director Legal, Chijioke Chuku at the launch of two
publications during the Multi-Stakeholders Meeting
on Peace & Inclusive Security Initiative by Centre for
Democracy & Development in Abuja on March 10, 2022.
Dr. Kayode Fayemi arriving
Abuja on a late-night flight
on February 15, 2021.

168 169
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi and
Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi
inspecting the Federal Road Safety
Commission (FRSC) digital room
during a visit to the FRSC Headqauters
in Abuja on February 27, 2020. NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi on with
Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi on
FRSC Radio on February 27, 2020.
Next page: NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi with Rivers State Governor,
Nyesom Wike inspecting ongoing work
at the Nigeria Law School Campus
being built by his administration in Port
Harcourt on December 23, 2021.

170 171

172 173
Dr. Kayode Fayemi with the
former military President, General
Ibrahim Babagida, during a
courtesy call on the leader at his
Minna home in Niger State on
October 24, 2020.

174 175
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the NGF DG,
Asishana Okauru, walking through
the corridor of the Banquet Hall, Aso
Villa, for the governors’ meeting for
proper spacing owing to the Covid
-19 pandemic on February 17, 2021.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi with
Jigawa State Governor, Badaru
Abubakar during a courtesy visit
to the Kaduna State Governor, in
Kaduna on April 15, 2022.

176 177
on a courtesy visit to Anambra
State Governor, Charles Soludo
on his electoral victory in Awka,
on April 30, 2022.
Anambra State Deputy Governor (DG),
Nkem Okeke; Imo State DG; Placid
Njoku; Enugu State DG, Lolo Ezeilo and
Cross River State DG, Ivara Esu; walking
towards the President’s Banquet Hall for
the NGF meeting on February 17, 2021.

178 179
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; NGF Vice
Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal; Zamfara State
Governor, Bello Muhammad and Adamawa State
Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri chatting as they walked
through the corridor of the President’s Banquet Hall,
venue for the NGF meeting, on February 17, 2021.

180 181
After about 25 teleconference
meetings owing to the Covid -19
pandemic, the NGF physical meeting
was held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa,
where security challenges in the states
were addressed on February 17, 2021.

182 183
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi giving remarks at the launch of Primary
Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Fund during the governors’
meeting at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja on August 17, 2022.

184 185
during the Governors’ meeting at
the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa, where
they launched a Primary Health
Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge
Fund, on August 17, 2022.

186 187
Dr Kayode Fayemi with
Southwest leaders on
inspection of the aftermath of
Endsars protest in Lagos State
on October 25, 2020.

188 189
NGF Vice Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal;
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi and NGF DG,
Asishana Okauru walking to the forum’s
meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Aso Villa,

190 191
Dr. Kayode Fayemi leading NGF
delegation on a condolence
visit to Borno State Governor,
Prof. Babagana Zulum and
the people of the state on
December 1, 2020.

192 193
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi and Chairperson,
Governors’ Wives Forum, Erelu Bisi Fayemi flanked by
other first ladies during the Governors’ Wives Against GBV
(NGWA-GBV), conference in Abuja on December 2, 2020.

194 195
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi flanked by Akwa Ibom State, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel(left) and Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba
with senior police officers during the opening ceremony of a conference and retreat for senior police officers in Uyo on February 8, 2022.

196 197
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on
Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon.
Lynda Ikpeazu; the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode
Fayemi; former Vice President, H.E. Namadi Sambo;
Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior and former
Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima; and
ex-APC National Chairman and former Governor of Edo
State, Odigie Oyegun, during the 17th Edition of Daily Trust
Dialogue in Abuja on January 16, 2020.
Dr Kayode Fayemi reviewing meeting materials
with Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai during
the meeting on NEC Sub-Committee interfacing
with the NNPC on revenue (NNPC committee
meeting on oil price) on February 25, 2021.

198 199
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi and Chairperson, Governors’
Wives Forum, Erelu Bisi Fayemi flanked by other first ladies
during the Governors’ Wives Against GBV (NGWA-GBV),
conference in Abuja on December 2, 2020.

200 201
Dr Kayode Fayemi listening as the Chief of Air
Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar, explains
the NAF Memorial in honour of fallen air-men
during the NGF Chairman’s visit to the Air Force
headquarters, Abuja, on February 11, 2020.

202 203
Dr. Kayode Fayemi serving
his colleagues tea shortly
before their meeting on
December 2, 2020.

204 205
Dr. Kayode Fayemi attending
a security meeting with his
colleagues on December 2, 2020.

206 207
visiting affected persons, families, the
Olowo of Owo, the Catholic Bishop
and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in
Owo and Akure, Ondo State, following
the barbaric and callous attack
that occurred at St. Francis Catholic
Church, Owo, on June 6, 2022.

208 209
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; his wife
& NGWF chair, Erelu Bisi Fayemi with
other first ladies inspecting exhibition
stands of states at the 2nd Annual
Conference of the NGWF at Transcorp
Hilton, Abuja, on December 2, 2021.

210 211
Office on the go: Dr. Kayode Fayemi with the NGF DG in a
tete-a-tete at the forum’s secretariat on January 14, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi receiving in audience the Ambassador of
Czech Republic to Nigeria, Marek Skolil, in Abuja on March 3, 2020.

212 213
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina;
Senegalese President, Macky Sall and NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi during the Founder’s Presidential Dialogue at the Tony
Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum 2019 held at
Transcop Hilton in Abuja on July 27, 2019.
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the Minister of Finance,
Zainab Ahmed on March 3, 2020. Finance was
one of the ministries he visited most on behalf
of his brother-governors.

214 215
Dr Kayode Fayemi with other Governors
awaiting their Covid-19 test result before
their meeting with the President on
March 23, 2022.

216 217
with the Emir of Kano, Aminu
Ado Bayero during a courtesy
visit to the Emir’s palace in
Kano on December 3, 2021.

218 219
Dr Kayode Fayemi with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
at the National Primary Health Care Summit organized
by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National
Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in
Abuja, where he spoke extensively about the essence
of health systems reforms, health financing, and
collaboration amongst sub-nationals, the federal
government, the private sector and donor agencies
in building a robust and resilient primary health care
(PHC) system in Nigeria on March 24, 2022.

220 221
Representative of President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister
of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; NGF Chairman and
Guest Speaker, Kayode Fayemi; Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru
El-Rufai; former Vice President Namadi Sambo; Sultan of
Sokoto, Mohammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and others at the Arewa
House 50th Anniversary Lecture in Kaduna on October 31, 2020.

222 223
receiving on working visit, the Oromo
Parliament (Caffe Oromia) at the NGF
Secretariat on August 30, 2022.

224 225
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Sultan of Sokoto
Sa'ad Abubakar; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Kebbi State Governor,
Abubakar Bagudu and former Senate President,
Ken Nnamani at the fifth anniversary celebration
of Anchor Borrowers programme and flag-off of
the second cycle of 2020-2021 dry season rice
cultivation and sales of paddy in Birnin-Kebbi,
Kebbi State on March 2, 2021.
Next page: Dr Kayode Fayemi attending the fifth
anniversary celebration of Anchor Borrowers
programme and flag-off of the second cycle of
2020-2021 dry season rice cultivation and sales of
paddy in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State March 2, 2021.

226 227

228 229
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi leading a forum’s
delegation, including Plateau State Governor,
Simon Lalong; NGF Vice Chairman, Aminu
Tambuwal, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi
Sule and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman
AbdulRazaq on a solidarity visit to Niger State
Governor, Abubakar Bello and the people of the
state in Minna on February 23, 2021.

230 231
Dr Kayode Fayemi chairing the NGF meeting with
the 36 Speakers of State’ Houses of Assembly. The
meeting deliberated on ongoing constitutional
amendments, security and the economy in the
collective quest to strengthen the country’s
democracy on September 5, 2022.

232 233
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi leading a
delegation; of colleagues comprising Plateau
State Governor, Simon Lalong; NGF Vice
Chairman, Aminu Tambuwal; Nasarawa State
Governor, Abdullahi Sule and Kwara State
Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on a
solidarity visit to former military Head of State
General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna on
February 23, 2021.

234 235
the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty,
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,
Ojaja II, during a courtesy visit to
the monarch’s palace in Ife on
December 6, 2021.

236 237
Dr Kayode Fayemi leading NGF
delegation to Zamfara State on
solidarity visit on the kidnap of
school girls on March 2, 2021.

238 239
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo; Gombe State
Governor, Inuwa Yahaya; Nasarawa State
Governor, Abdullahi Sule and others at
the NACR-P Summit themed; Last Mile
Interventions for the Vulnerable, held in
State House, Abuja on February 10, 2022
Next page: Dr Kayode Fayemi attending
the ceremony of Argungu Motor Rally at
Eagle Square, Abuja, on March 11, 2020.

240 241

242 243
Dr Kayode Fayemi with the Senior Special
Assistant to the President on Special
Duties, Mallam Yau Darazo and Kebbi
State Governor, Atiku Bagudu during their
visit to the Secretary to the Government
of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in

244 245
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Sultan of Sokoto;
His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and
Sokoto State Governor & NGF Vice Chairman, Aminu
Tambuwal; during a sallah homage to the Sultan’s
palace in Sokoto on May 2, 2022.
and his Vice Chairman, Aminu
Tambuwal taking a ride to the
airport after sallah homage to
the Sultan’s palace in Sokoto on
May 2, 2022.

246 247
Leaving no stone unturned, Dr Kayode
Fayemi treating files on his way to Abuja
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi with King Dandeson
Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, the traditional ruler of Opobo
Kingdom and Chairman, Rivers State Council of
Traditional Rulers at the cenotaph of King Jaja of
Opobo (1821 -1891); during the governor’s visit to the
palace in Opobo, Rivers State, on May 1, 2022.

248 249
Dr. Kayode Fayemi as panelist
at the Joint Executive and
Legislative Leadership Retreat
held at the Banquet Hall, Aso
Villa, Abuja on October 6, 2020.
Dr Kayode Fayemi with Kebbi
State Governor, Atiku Badudu
as panelists at the joint retreat
on Economic and Development
Planing for Nigeria in Abuja on
December 9, 2019.

250 251
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir
El-Rufai; NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi; President Muhammadu
Buhari and Nigeria Economic
Summit (NES) Group Chairman,
Asue Ighodalo listening during
the summit’s 25th retreat in
Abuja on October 7, 2019.

252 253
as one of the panellists during
the 25th Nigerian Economic
Summit Retreat in Abuja on
October 7, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi, flanked by Edo
State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, presenting
an award to Diamond Bank founder and Pan-
Atlantic University chairman, Pascal Dozie, OON
during the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit
Retreat in Abuja on October 7, 2019.

254 255
DEVELOPMENT
PARTNERSHIP
Under Dr. Fayemi, the NGF pursued several
initiatives aimed at improving the
socioeconomic fortunes of the poor. Some
of these initiatives were in conjunction with
international development partners and national agencies to
address a variety of socioeconomic challenges. Such partnership
arrangements focused on good governance infrastructure,
access to education, health, policy development, financial aid, as
well as food security, poverty and environmental issues.

256 257
NGF Secretariat
Since Dr. Kayode Fayemi
assumed duty as the NGF
chairman, the Secretariat
has witnessed tremendous
expansion with the increase
in its activities and strategic
involvement in policy
development across several
segments of the nation’s
affairs. Quick-impact
measures undertaken by
Fayemi spanned personnel
resourcing and development,
the modus operandi and
functional administrative
restructuring and re-
configuration. He beefed
up the Forum’s personnel
complement by bringing
back its Senior Agricultural
Advisor, Prof. Abba Gambo, as
well as engaging other top-
drawer professionals to man
key desks in a re-configured
operational structure
and mode. He rebuilt and
strengthened the Education
Desk to be able to lead the
Forum in policy development
and actualisation. In addition,
under him, the Forum created
the Peace and Legislative Unit
led by Mrs. Fatima Y. Usman.
The unit would serve as the
legislative focal point as well
as a policy hub, resource
centre on legislative matters
regarding sub-national
governance.
With the operation of the
Forum so restructured, and
more high-level professionals
brought in, so has the
enhancement of the Forum’s
efficiency and effectiveness
escalated as a national forum
and policy centre.
Without doubt, the Fayemi
NGF era was very innovative,
productive, inspiring,
progressive and distinguished
in many ways. The era was
the Forum’s most peaceful,
stable and progressive period
yet. Among members there
was no rancour arising from
partisan differences, just
as there was no record of
acrimonious disagreements
with the federal government
(FG), even though the Forum
and the FG sometimes
differed on intergovernmental
relations and rights in a federal
structure.
So massive were the development pattern-driven initiatives that it is
necessary to highlight the key players in this realm. They include:
■ Department for International Development (DfID);
■ Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ);
■ French Development Agency (AFD);
■ The World Bank;
■ Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;
■ United Nations Population Fund (UNDP);
■ Forum of Federations;
■ CLEEN Foundation;
■ Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC);
■ National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA);
■ Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN);
■ Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD);
■ Federal Ministry of Finance;
■ National Planning Commission;
■ National Bureau of Statistics (NBS);
■ Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) ;
■ Federal Ministry of Education;
■ Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS);
■ Federal Ministry of Health;
■ Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC);
■ Nigeria Communication and Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT);
■ Nigerian Meteorology Society (NiMET);
■ Millennium Development Goals Office; and
■ Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC);
Such was the octopal clout of Fayemi’s NGF leadership with
development partners and agencies, home and abroad!

258 259
Dr Kayode Fayemi welcoming Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo, former NGF
Chairmen, brother-governors and
other dignitaries for the commissioning
of the new NGF Secretariat complex in
Abuja on September 29, 2022.

260 261
Dr Kayode Fayemi chairing the first NGF
meeting at the new secretariat complex.
The meeting was addressed by the
Secretary-General, United Cities and Local
Governments of Africa, Mr. Jean Pierre
Elong Mbassi, who is on a working visit to
Nigeria on September 29, 2022.

262 263
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi on a courtesy
visit to the new Canadian Ambassador to
Nigeria, Mr Nicolas Simard, during which they
discussed several issues of mutual interest,
including the ban on Twitter, on June 29, 2021.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi on a
courtesy visit to the China Ambassador
to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun at the Chinese
Embassy in Abuja on June 29, 2021.

264 265
NGF Chairman Kayode Fayemi hosting a delegation of Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation led by its President Christopher
Elias, and Dangote Foundation founder Aliko Dangote in Abuja.
The meeting, on February 3, 2022, deliberated extensively on
resource mobilisation and collaboration at sub-national levels
to address the nation’s health care needs amidst the COVID-19
pandemic.

266 267
on a courtesy visit to the Chinese
Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun,
at the Chinese Embassy in Abuja on
June 29, 2021.
CEO, African Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Lagos
State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; UNDP Regional Director
for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa; Kenya President, William Ruto;
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Secretary-General, Continental
Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene and WNDP
Administrator, Achim Steiner during the UNDP’s inaugural Africa
Investment Partnership Forum in New York, United States on
September 21, 2022.

268 269
NGF DG, Asishana Okauru
briefing some of the governors
before their meeting on
December 18, 2019.
GAVI and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation team
meeting with NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi
and Governors of the eight GAVI MOU States.
The team was led by Gavi CEO Seth Berkeley on
December 18, 2019.

270 271
Dr Kayode Fayemi, with his vice, Aminu
Tambuwal chairing NGF monthly
meeting at its secretariat in Abuja. The
meeting was addressed by one of the
partners on August 21, 2019.

272 273
NGF DG, Asishana Okauru; NGF Chairman, Kayode
Fayemi; NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD),
Mele Kyari and NGF Vice Chairman, Aminu
Tambuwal during a courtesy visit by the NGF team
to the new NNPC GMD in Abuja on July 10, 2019.
Representing the NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi as
one of the panelists on African Sub-Sovereign
Government Conference during the Intra-
African Trade Initiative in South Africa on
November 18, 2021.

274 275
NGF Chairman Kayode Fayemi leading fellow Governors on a tour of
Dangote Petrochemical Complex in Lagos on December 20, 2019.

276 277
African Development Bank (AfDB) Nigeria Country
Manager, Mr. Ebrima Faal; NGF Chairman & Ekiti
State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Africa Finance
Corporation (AFC) Senior Director, Taiwo Adeniji
during the 2019 AfDB/ AFC Nigeria Road Show in
Abuja on July 9, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi receiving in
audience UNICEF Representatives led by their
Nigeria Country Director, Peter Hawkin at NGF
Secretariat on September 12, 2019.

278 279
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi, with
Forum DG Asishana Okauru, presenting
a card on behalf of other Governors
during the send-off dinner in honour of
outgoing World Bank Country Director,
Rechid Benmoussouad in Abuja on
October 28, 2019.
with Tetfund Executive Secretary,
Suleiman Elias Bogoro during a
courtesy visit to TETFund office in
Abuja on July 10, 2019

280 281
in a tete-a-tete with the new
World Bank Country Director for
Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, on
October 28, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; representatives
of other Governors and the World Bank
team during the send- off dinner in honour
of their outgoing Country Director, Rechid
Benmoussouad in Abuja on October 28, 2019

282 283
Special Adviser to the President on Finance
and Economy, Serah Omotunde; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; AfDB President,
Akinwumi Adesina and wife, Grace Adesina;
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman
AbdulRazaq and Cross Rivers State Governor,
Ben Ayade during a sideline meeting at the
Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg,
South Africa, on November 11, 2019.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Ghanaian
President, Nana Akufo-Addo; Founder and
Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu at
the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg,
South Africa on November 11, 2019.

284 285
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Kwara State
Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and
Cross Rivers State Governor Ben Ayade with
an AfDB team led by their President, Akinwumi
Adesina during sideline meeting at the Africa
Investment Forum in Johannesburg, South
Africa, on November 11, 2019.

286 287
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan; NGF
Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; CBN Governor, Godwin
Emefiele; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu
and Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot
Salako-Oyedele during the Cassava Value Chain
Intervention Project meeting with the governors
of cassava-producing states signing an MOU in
Abuja on November 21, 2019.
An NGF team led by the Chairman, Dr Kayode
Fayemi, receiving in audience Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation and the President, Global
Development, Dr. Christopher Elias during a visit to
the NGF Secretariat in Abuja on September 17, 2019.

288 289
Niger Republic President, Mohamed
Bazoum during his visit to Nigeria

290 291
meeting with UAE Ambassador
to Nigeria, Fahad Al Taffaq
during a visit to the embassy in

292 293
US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; APC
Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi
Duru; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi and out-
going Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States
to Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon during the send-off
party organised in her honour at the Abuja private
residence of the chairman on July 22, 2022.
receiving in audience UNICEF
Representatives led by their
Country Director in Nigeria, Peter
Hawkin at the chairman’s private
house on April 21, 2022.

294 295
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi with colleague-governors
(Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Imo
State Governor, Hope Uzodinma) and NGF DG Mr. Asishana
Okauru while receiving in audience UN Deputy Secretary-
General Hajia Amina Mohammed to review #COVID19
responses & related concerns At the NGFSecretariat on
November 17, 2020.
walking with UN Deputy
Secretary General, Hajia Amina
Mohammed during her visit
to the NGF Secretariat on
November 17, 2020.

296 297
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi receiving
in audience a team of American
legislative aides who were on a working
visit to the NGF Secretariat as part of
their study tour to Nigeria with the United
Nations Foundation. The delegation was
led by the US Ambassador to Nigeria,
Mary Beth Leonard, and WHO Nigeria
Director on August 18, 2022.

298 299
Sir Emeka Offor Foundation Founder, Sir Dr
Emeka Offor; NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi
and Rotary International President, Shekhar
Mehta during a dinner in honour of the visiting
president in Abuja on September 5, 2021.
Meeting with ALGON on
October 20, 2020.

300 301
with Director General, AfDB
Nigeria Country Office, Lamin
Barrow on December 2, 2020.
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi receiving in
audience French Ambassador to Nigeria,
Jérôme Pasquier at his private residence in
Abuja on January 24, 2020.

302 303
NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi,
Minister of Works & Housing,
Babatunde Fashola with the Nigeria
Governors’ Wives’ Forum (NGWF)
led by their chair, Erelu Bisi Fayemi,
during one of their meetings held in
Lagos on November 4, 2021.
Dr Kayode Fayemi saying hello to
participants from states that are
beneficiaries of regular training at the
NGF Secretariat January 14, 2021.

304 305
receiving in audience Palestine
Ambassador to Nigeria, Saheh
Fhied on December 8, 2021.
Without doubt, the Fayemi NGF era
was very innovative, productive,
inspiring, progressive and
distinguished in many ways. The
era was the Forum’s most peaceful,
stable and progressive period yet.

306 307
HANDOVER: Dr. Kayode Fayemi
hands over NGF Chairmanship
to Governor Aminu Tambuwal
and Governor Atiku Bagudu as
the vice Chairman during his last
assignment as NGF Chairman on
September 29, 2022.

308 309

310 311
AFTERWORD
Icherished the
unique privilege of
being accorded the
honour of a preview
copy of this book, Common
Ground: Leading Change
at Subnational Level – A
Compendium of Dr. Kayode
Fayemi’s Tenure as Chairman
of Nigeria Governors’ Forum
which photographically
chronicles his historic years
as the transformational
Chairman of the highly
influential NGF.
The book is definitely an
archival material and a
template at the same time. It
is an archival source because
it helps us to be able to
reference the activities of
Dr. Kayode Fayemi as Chair
of NGF and to evaluate his
leadership. It also serves as
a template for the review
of the activities of the NGF
in the future, especially in
documenting the prevailing
challenges that each
chairman faces in his time
and how he is able to mobilise
his colleagues to rise to the
occasion.
The Compendium takes
us back in introspect to
appreciate the enormity of the
work that Fayemi shouldered
as the chairman at a moment
of national difficulty, when he
had to lead his colleagues to
join hands with the federal
government in tackling the
twin threats of COVID-19 and
the destructive activities of
terrorists and insurgents in the
nation.
I congratulate Ayo Ogunro,
the super talented personal
photographer of Dr. Kayode
Fayemi for his dutiful rendition
The Compendium takes us back in
introspect to appreciate the enormity
of the work that Fayemi shouldered
as the chairman at a moment of
national difficulty, when he had to
lead his colleagues to join hands with
the federal government in tackling
the twin threats of COVID-19 and the
destructive activities of terrorists and
insurgents in the nation.
of the Fayemi era as chairman
of NGF. This is an excellent
work of art that combines
journalistic editorial and
photographic excellence to
tell the captivating story of
the Fayemi’s leadership at a
time of national challenges.
With this beautiful publication,
Ayo has further established
his presence as one of the
iconic and creative photo-
documenters of this time.
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
Forum(NGF)
November 2022

312 313
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ayo Ogunro is a documentary
photographer, graphic artist
and filmmaker. He is interested
in human-interest stories
that create consciousness
about social issues. With
high intellection and his
camera lens, he probes how
human cultures are formed
and how they shape our
perception of the world. He
received certificate training
in documentary photography
at New York Film Academy
summer workshop in 2016
and in storytelling by Canon
Miraisha programme in 2018.
He is a member of the African
Photojournalism Database
(APJD), a joint project of
WorldPress Photo Foundation
and Everyday Africa. Ayo is also
a member of Unabashed Africa,
a group of creatives keenly
interested in documentary
media across Africa, and a
fellow at Young African Leaders
Initiative (YALI).
His continuous learning and
networking are evident in
his active participation in
events such as the Fashola
Photographic Foundation, The
Now Collective Conference,
and Nigeria Photography Expo
& Conference. Ayo’s works
were exhibited at the Abuja
International Photo Festival in
2017 and Canon Africa Alumni
Exhibition and African Artist
Foundation in Lagos in 2018. He
was the second runner-up at
the 9mobile 2019 competition.
He has carried out assignments
for notable organizations
locally and internationally.
As a storyteller and strong
advocate of African
stories, he has chalked up
significant personal works on
cultural and environmental
documentary projects such
as The Untold Story of the
Fulani, Nigerian Tribal Marks,
Kenyan Maasai, Lifestyle
in IDP camps, Flooding in
Nigeria, The Plight of People
Living with Disabilities in
Nigeria, and many more.
He is the author to the
book, Fayemi: Restoring Ekiti
Values. The book showcases
Dr Kayode Fayemi’s return
to office and highlights his
vision and policy focus as
Governor of Ekiti State.
He was the Senior Special
Assistant on Photography
and Personal Photographer
to the Governor of Ekiti.
ABOUT
THE
AUTHOR
My gratitude goes to the
Almighty who inspired and
guided me throughout
my daunting trajectory in
photography, particularly
in the early days, and who
granted me the grace to
successfully conceptualise
and complete this book.
I’m immensely grateful to my
principal, the former Chairman
Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
and Ekiti State Governor, H.E Dr.
Kayode Fayemi, for graciously
providing me the platform to
express my creative energy.
He believed in my vision and
enabled me, camera in hand,
to document his historic times
as NGF's helmsman, especially
his vision of repositioning the
Forum and making it a center
of national consensus building.
I wish to acknowledge, with
sincere appreciation, the
contributions and support
of the NGF Secretariat Staff,
led by the Director-General,
Asishana Okauru, Esq.
My deep appreciation also
goes to my amazing family,
whose support has kept
me motivated to make a
difference in the photography
world. I’m grateful for all their
sacrifices and forbearance
in the face of unending
absences, unscheduled travels
and late-night photo-editing.
To all the personal aides of
the governor, many thanks
for always looking out for me
on our work tours and for the
unflinching backing to ensure
that I did my work excellently
and seamlessly.
Many thanks to every
photographer whose work
has inspired me at one point
or another. I am proud to call
them my family!
Everyone who loves the work I
do, be sure your contributions
are invaluable and highly
appreciated.
To God be all the Glory!
Thank you.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Ayo Ogunro
CURATORS
Dolapo Julius
Ayo Ogunro
DESIGN
Akeem Ibrahim
PHOTO EDITOR
Segun Jimoh
TEXT AND EDITING
Oba Dr Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi
Segun Omolayo
Yinka Oyebode
Egghead Odewale
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
Bayo Omoboriowo
Kolade Adegunloye
Demola Olaniran
Saeed Sanusi
Titilayo Obileye

The book is definitely an archival material and a template at the
same time. It is an archival source because it helps us to reference
the activities of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as Chair of NGF and to evaluate
his leadership. It also serves as a template for the review of the
activities of the NGF in the future, especially in documenting the
prevailing challenges that each chairman faces in his time and
how he is able to mobilise his colleagues to rise to the occasion.
– Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Chairman, NGF
We successfully achieved the eradication of polio in Nigeria. That
success was realised through partnership with the NGF under the
leadership of Dr Kayode Fayemi.
– Tijani Mohammed, Bill & Melinda Gate Foundation
The title of the book reflects the philosophy of Dr. Kayode Fayemi,
as a bridge builder and peacemaker who has demonstrated
great candor and focus in the leadership of the Forum. The book
takes a look at the coming of Fayemi, the dominant motifs of his
Chairmanship and the legacies of his era.
– Asishana Okauru, Director General, NGF
He led a delegation of 13 Governors to Seattle to accelerate
primary health care in Nigeria and hold the Governors
accountable through the NGF for primary health care in each
state. The Primary Health Care Challenge Fund is now being
managed by the NGF and it is Fayemi’s legacy for years to come.
– Peter Hawkins, Unicef Representative in Nigeria

Common Ground: Leading Charge at the Subnational

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Common Ground: Leading Charge at the Subnational