Chief Gabriel Aduku and Alhaji Murtala Aliyu have formally assumed office as the National Executive Council (NEC) chairman and secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) after ratification by the Selection Committee and the Board of Trustees.
While Aduku took over from Chief Audu Ogbeh, the secretary’s position was renewed for another term of three years.
In his acceptance speech, Aduku expressed gratitude to God and members of ACF, and promised to take the organization to the next level.
He promised that the new executive would deploy all within its capacities for the progress of ACF.
Aduku stated that their commitment to the course will be total, while noting that they will do everything possible to ensure that they sustain the vision of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
He said, “On behalf of the newly constituted members of the National Working Committee of the Arewa Consultative Forum, I stand here today full of gratitude to God Almighty whose undeserving benevolence we have enjoyed up to this day.
“One thing is imperative, that is, our collective resolve to sustain the lofty vision of the organisation’s founding fathers which is to continue to pursue ideals of a united, prosperous and peaceful north and by extension Nigeria.
“It is the same spirit of furthering the above ideals that the leaders of this revered Forum spotted in us while we were yet pursuing our individual life’s endeavour that made them bring us on board.
“Therefore, we want to assure everyone that our commitment to this course will be total, by the grace of God. We hereby accept the offer to serve in the Arewa Consultative Forum in our various capacities,” he said.
In the same vein, the BoT chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu said the tasks ahead are enormous but there is no cause for alarm because he is optimistic that they will tap from the wealth of experience of the predecessors.
He stressed that the new administration will focus on addressing the divisions in northern Nigeria, in a bid to bring everybody together and create an enabling environment that would enhance the northern culture for the prosperity of the region.
Dalhatu said it was regrettable that socio-economic challenges facing the Northern region continued to multiply.
“The reason why ACF was established was to confront any problem being faced by the North, unfortunately, the problem continues to multiply over the years.
“As men of courage we will do our best to put first the interest of the region in anything we intend to achieve that can also unite us with the rest of the country so that by the end of our tenure we will have achievements to show for it,” Dalhatu said.
Others elected into the position of NWC includes: Senator Ibrahim Ida as deputy chairman, Northwest, Alhaji Muhammed Kari, vice chairman, Northeast, Alhaji Ibrahim Moriki as deputy secretary general, Northwest, Barrister Achanna Gaius Yaro from Gomb State as legal adviser, Northeast among others.
