Governors of the 19 northern states have met in Kaduna to finetune measures designed to address insecurity and economic crisis in the region.
Gombe State governor and chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, challenged his colleagues to mobilise resources for the region to get out of its perennial security challenges.
He charged the governors to develop the economic and human capacity without further delay.
Governor Yahaya said a long-term economic development was paramount to tackling insecurity in the region, just as he lamented that Northern Nigeria currently bears the burden of the highest number of out-of-school children in the world which he noted could compound security challenges.
The NSGF chairman while addressing the meeting of governors in Kaduna on Tuesday said the situation was an unacceptable reality that the leaders must address with every sense of urgency.
He said, “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, the revitalisation 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 huge industrial and economic potentials of the northern region. I urge us not to lose focus, but to strive, sustain and enhance the legacies of our founding fathers.
“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 in order to unlock the full potential of our youth and empower future generations.
“Environmental sustainability is equally crucial to both our present and future. 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.
“Security remains top on our agenda. 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.
Earlier, in his welcome address, governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, called for a Marshall Plan to develop the northern region, by pulling the states’ resources together to develop roads, rail, solid minerals, energy infrastructure and agriculture.
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 establishment of a Command and Control Centre to coordinate their joint security efforts.
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