By Francesca Hangeior

The 19 Northern Governors, traditional rulers from the North led by the Sultan of Sokoto and other critical stakeholders have converged on the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna on Monday, to deliberate on issues affecting the region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting which had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa and other military officers, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Chairman Northern States Governors’ Forum ( NSGF), said their collective resolve was being tested by the ongoing challenges faced by the Northern region.

According to the Governor, ” It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I address this combined meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council. This gathering represents the two supreme institutions charged with the political and moral responsibility to transform the social and economic landscape of northern Nigeria.”

“Let me begin by extending our deepest sympathies to the victims of the recent flood disasters in Maiduguri and other parts of the North, as well as to the families affected by the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State. I equally commiserate with other victims of terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities in the North and Nigeria at large. We stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times. We must continue to work with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and relief to those affected.”

“As we gather today, our collective resolve is being tested by the ongoing challenges that we face. These include but are not limited to terrorism, banditry, kidnap-for-ransom, farmer-herder clashes, drug abuse, the menace of Almajiri and out-of-school children, poverty and unemployment. However, our unity and commitment to the prosperity of the people remain our greatest source of strength that will enable us to overcome those challenges.”

“While security remains a top priority for the region, we must acknowledge the recent gains made against criminals, especially the elimination of bandits and terror leaders. However, we cannot afford complacency. We must sustain these gains to ensure lasting peace and stability. We recently received the report of the Coalition of Northern Group’s Security Committee, and we are going to carefully study and implement their recommendations. Our engagements with security agencies and civil society groups must continue to chart a sustainable path for peace and stability in northern Nigeria.”

“The recent “End Bad Governance” protests that took place in August serve as a wake-up call for all northern leaders. Youth restiveness is a growing concern, driven by illiteracy, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities. Our young people are calling out for change, and it is our responsibility to listen and act. We must scale up efforts to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, and job creation. Let us focus on creating pathways for the youth to channel their energy into productive ventures, thereby reducing their vulnerability to crime and social vices.”

“The economic hardship faced by many Nigerians today is undeniable, and considering the North-South disparity in economic inequality, it is even more pronounced in northern Nigeria. This calls for urgent intervention. It is essential that we, as leaders, adopt measures to alleviate the suffering, such as targeted social welfare programs, support for small and medium enterprises, and policies that attract investment to our states. At the same time, we must work with the Federal Government to ensure that fiscal policies are sensitive to the realities of the day.
As we speak today, most of our Northern states are in darkness due to the vandalization of electricity transmission infrastructure. This not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience.”

“Northern Nigeria holds immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth. To achieve this, we must provide adequate support to our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems. Furthermore, ensuring the security of rural areas is crucial so that farmers can return to their fields without fear. Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for industrialization and job creation across the region.
That can be achieved through re-industrialisation of the North, especially by reviving the textile value chain and development of other agro-allied industries.”

“On the environment, the recent flood incidents in many parts of the North serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to implement effective mitigation measures. We must adopt policies that promote environmental conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and responsible resource management. Moreover, the deterioration of our environment exacerbates communal conflicts, particularly between farmers and herders, further threatening the stability of our communities.

‘’Addressing this issue holistically is crucial to not only preserving our natural resources but also ensuring social harmony. To achieve this, we must partner with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to build irrigation infrastructure like canals and waterways to divert excess water and channel them towards irrigation activities, thus enhancing rural livelihoods and safeguarding food security.”