The Northern Governors’ Forum (NSGF) led by Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called for urgent action in advancing the economic and human capacity development agenda across Northern Nigeria without further delay.
Against the backdrop of ongoing security challenges, Yahaya while addressing the meeting of governors in Kaduna on Tuesday made an appeal that is crucial for the region to overcome its ongoing security challenges, emphasizing the importance of long-term economic development in addressing insecurity in the region.
Yahaya, also the governor of Gonna state, stated concern over Northern Nigeria’s status as home to the highest number of out-of-school children globally, highlighting how this issue could exacerbate security challenges.
The NSGF chairman said the situation was an unacceptable reality that the leaders must address immediately.
“Economic development is paramount to our region’s prosperity. We consider economic development as the long-term solution to our security challenges. In this regard, revitalization of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) is at the heart of our economic agenda for northern Nigeria.
“We must also explore innovative ways to invest in critical infrastructure capable of unlocking the northern region’s huge industrial and economic potentials. I urge us not to lose focus, but to strive, sustain and enhance the legacies of our founding fathers,” he said.
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speaking further, Yahaya said human capital development is very critical to the progress and prosperity of our region.
“It is deeply troubling that Northern Nigeria currently bears the burden of the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. This is an unacceptable reality that we must urgently address.
“Every child deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to succeed in today’s rapidly changing global economic landscape.
“As leaders, we have a moral obligation to invest massively in education and skills development, healthcare, and social services to unlock the full potential of our youth and empower future generations,” he stressed.
Addressing issues of environmental sustainability, Yahaya said is equally crucial to both the present and future adding that climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, and population growth pose significant challenges to our communities.
“We must adopt holistic approaches that promote environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and responsible resource management so as to safeguard the livelihoods of our people and preserve our natural heritage for generations yet unborn.
“Regional integration remains a cornerstone of our collective vision for a prosperous northern region. Let us deepen our collaborations in infrastructure development, human capital enhancement, trade, security cooperation, and cultural exchange.
“Together, we can unlock the full potentials of our region and ensure inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the ever-competitive Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing solidarity with states facing unprecedented security challenges, the NSGF chairman said security remains top on our agenda.
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“During our last meeting, we reaffirmed our willingness to work with the Federal Government in order to provide lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling our region.
“Since then, we have had various engagements with the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, coalition of northern civil society groups, and other relevant stakeholders on charting a way forward for sustainable peace and stability in northern Nigeria.”
“As the nation continues to deliberate on the issue of state police, it is important that we begin to explore state policing models that are built on the foundation of cooperation and collaboration amongst our northern states.
“Let me use this opportunity to express our deepest sympathy and unflinching support to our colleagues and the people of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara States, who have been facing unprecedented security challenges recently.
“Let us stand together in solidarity by offering our firm commitment to supporting our fellow northern brethren during these difficult times,” Yahaya urged.
Earlier in his welcome address, Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, who is the host Governor, argued that, every synergy on economic Marshal plans will reinvent the economy of Northern Nigeria and help it tackle the challenges of insecurity and poverty.
The Governor also reiterated his earlier call for a common strategy and operational plan to tackle insecurity, through the establishment of a Command and Control Centre to coordinate their joint security efforts.
He recalled that “at the Inaugural Meeting of the Forum held on December 15, 2023, we resolved to stand united in our commitment to addressing the security and developmental challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
We also resolved to address the environmental challenges affecting Northern Nigeria which is threatening rural livelihood, pushing farmers into conflict with herders and adding to the general level of poverty and insecurity.”
According to him, “Since the Inaugural Meeting, we have individually and collectively fashioned workable strategies and implemented some measures to tackle our security challenges. We have made remarkable progress in degrading criminal elements laying siege to our communities.
“The Federal Government under the dynamic, focused and courageous leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has demonstrated total commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality. It has strengthened its partnership with the Northern States and sustained its support to us. But challenges remain.
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“Today’s meeting, dear colleagues, affords us an opportunity to look at our successes and challenges so far in the war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping and fashion new strategies for a final push against these enemies of development.
“It is for this reason, dear colleagues, that I wish to reiterate my earlier call for Northern States to develop a Common Strategy and Operational Plan to tackle insecurity. Let us establish a Command and Control Centre to coordinate our joint efforts.
“I also urge us to re-strategise and come to a conclusion on forging a common approach to the development of Northern Nigeria. We have been working assiduously in our respective states to address our developmental challenges, but the disturbing development indices in Northern Nigeria require a collective and sustained effort.
“We need to fashion a Marshall Plan for the development of Northern Nigeria. Let us pull resources together to develop our Road, Rail, Solid minerals and Energy Infrastructure. Agriculture is another key area we can pull resources together to reinvent the economy of Northern Nigeria,” Governor Sani said.
