Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom has been appointed the interim
chairman of the joint South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum.
Udom emerged chairman at the first meeting of the forum held
late Sunday night at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
He told newsmen at the end of the closed door meeting that
governors from the two zones had decided to pursue inter-regional cooperation
for greater integration.
The governor said that the leaders of the two zones had agreed
to realign as a people that share a common heritage, culture and affinity.
“Having
reviewed the state of the nation, particularly as it affects us in the
South-South and South-East regions, we have agreed to pursue inter-regional
cooperation.
“This will be
for integration and for the economic benefit of the two regions.
“We also have
resolved to politically work together and realign as a people that shared
common heritage, culture and affinity,” he said.
Udom said that
he was unanimously chosen as the interim chairman by other governors, adding
that their next meeting would hold in Port Harcourt on Aug. 27.
The News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the governors of Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi,
Enugu, Imo, Cross River and Rivers, attended the meeting; while the deputy
governor of Anambra represented the governor.
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