By Joyce Eyaba, JKNewsMedia Reporter
REGIONAL SECURITY plans moved forward as southern leaders adopted new measures outlined in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting between the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council.
The meeting took place in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the Forum confirmed that member states would contribute to a zonal security fund intended to support security operations and expand capacity building across the geopolitical zones.
Communiqué read by the Forum Chairman and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, stated that the fund would operate as a dedicated pool for regional use.
According to the document, the governors also agreed to establish a monthly Zonal Security Coordination Meeting involving Security Advisers from all southern states, describing the meeting as an institutionalised structure for consistent engagement and coordination.
They approved what it called an intelligence-sharing framework backed by modern communication technologies, real-time surveillance systems and interoperable equipment saying this infrastructure would strengthen intelligence communication and enable coordinated responses across state boundaries.
Reaffirming its longstanding position on policing reforms, the Forum reiterated its call for state police, describing it in the communiqué as a constitutional imperative.
The governors noted that community-based and regional security initiatives had already recorded successes, reinforcing their position on decentralised policing.
The communiqué also encouraged member states to work with the National Identity Management Commission to implement a unified resident identification system across the region.
According to the document, the unified system would support coordination and planning within southern states.
They also resolved to strengthen the operations of regional and local security outfits listing hunters’ associations and community surveillance units among the groups expected to benefit from improvements in equipment, logistics and operational support initiated by member states.
They also urged states to collaborate more closely with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation. According to the document, the intention was to address indiscriminate practices that could heighten security risks.
The Forum also resolved to tackle illegal mining activities, which the communiqué described as a major source of ecological and security challenges, agreeing to work with environmental agencies and traditional institutions to confront the issue.
Further encouraging states to provide direct financial and operational support to traditional councils in order to increase grassroots participation, the governors said such support would help traditional rulers play a more effective role in regional security and peacebuilding.
A vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu was also expressed as the Forum commended what it described as his leadership and commitment to national stability and reforms.
The governors also commended the President for recent rescue operations that secured the release of kidnapped victims in parts of the country.
The communiqué affirmed that the Forum would continue its collaboration with the Federal Government to ensure peace, prosperity and progress for all Nigerians.
It further stated that despite attempts to create tension and distrust within the region, the Southern Governors’ Forum pledged to continue speaking with one voice and promoting the collective interests of the South.
Governor Abiodun highlighted the urgent need to strengthen joint security structures across the South, enhance intelligence sharing and adopt a unified regional strategy.
He reiterated the Forum’s support for state police and proposed a regional security framework including intelligence sharing, border protection, safe school initiatives, surveillance of transport corridors, community involvement, a real-time digital intelligence system, and joint audits of road, rail and maritime corridors.
He also outlined measures to document foreign nationals, dismantle illegal settlements, regulate scavenger activities, intensify forest operations and tackle illegal mining, while emphasising that community policing remains essential.
On economic cooperation, Governor Abiodun said states would work together in agriculture, technology, innovation and youth empowerment, including a Joint Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship to equip young people with digital and agritech skills.
He noted the region’s agricultural potential and said mechanisation, modern fishing systems and improved processing would boost exports, reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs.
He also stressed that shared history, cultural ties and an interconnected economy must underpin integration, and commended President Tinubu for economic reforms, infrastructural development and coordinated security operations.
Governors present included Prof Charles Soludo, Pastor Umo Eno, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Abiodun Oyebanji, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodimma and Siminalayi Fubara, with the Deputy Governors of Edo, Osun, Cross River and Oyo representing their states.
They concluded with a reaffirmation of the governors’ commitment to national unity and stronger regional cooperation. It stated that the Forum intended to deepen an inclusive, secure and equitable federation.
