We wish to inform members of the public that the NGF is duly registered, with registration number CAC/IT/NO/31439, under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990. Needless to point out that CAMA is an Act of the National Assembly and forms part of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
While we respect everyone’s right to hold opinions regarding the NGF or any other organization, we take serious exception to any insinuation that the NGF is illegal. To call for the disbanding of a legitimate association of Nigerians is not only mischievous and irresponsible; it is an infringement on the constitutional rights of its members to freedom of association as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
It is disheartening to note that after we have repeatedly publicized the status of the Forum, including its registration details for anyone or indeed a political party seeking public office, would undertake to peddle rumours, untruths and feed such to an unwary public.
We believe that the professional and responsible thing to do would have been for Mr. Aghanya, or any other person for that matter, to crosscheck and verify their facts with the NGF Secretariat or the CAC.
The NGF has a functional Secretariat run by a team of thorough-bred professionals who do not meddle in partisan politics and headed by a Director General, Mr. Asishana Okauru, an Economist and an Attorney-at-Law of many years standing.
The NGF is an advocacy group just like the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) or the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). Under our laws, state governors, like every other citizen, have rights to associate, peer-review one another and collectively push issues that will improve governance in their states in particular and in the country in general.
Since its establishment, the NGF has been making unquantifiable contributions to the stability of our democracy and the development of our country.
Mr. Asishana Okauru
NGF Secretariat
Abuja, Nigeria