The governors of the six Southsouth states will gather in Benin, the capital of Edo State tomorrow to reinvigorate and enhance the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta Commission also known as BRACED. 

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State will play host to his counterparts from this region known for its significant crude oil and gas resources.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo, the BRACED Commission was established in 2010 under Article 14 of the BRACED agreement, officially signed on June 13, 2011. The primary objective of the commission is to foster economic cooperation and regional integration among the Southsouth states, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of living standards for the region’s inhabitants.

Nehikhare stated, “The six governors of the Southsouth zone will be meeting in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, on January 18, under the auspices of the BRACED Commission. As the Chairman of BRACED Commission Governors’ Council, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki will host his colleagues: the governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Delta states, alongside their commissioners for Budget and Planning.”

He further highlighted that the inaugural meeting of the Southsouth governors in 2024 will center on strategies to revive and fortify the BRACED Commission, aligning with the region’s shared goal of collective economic development and integration.

“This first meeting of the Southsouth governors in 2024 will focus on how to revive and strengthen the BRACED Commission, and the zone’s aspiration for collective economic development and integration.

“Issues that will be deliberated on are those relating to the security of lives and property of the zone,” he stated