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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, ACF leaders, Afenifere, Governor Uba Sani as well as the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, at the weekend called for a renewed collective commitment to restoring security, rebuilding trust, and advancing economic development in Northern Nigeria.
Addressing the 25th anniversary celebration of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna through the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, President Tinubu described the current challenges confronting the North as “one of the gravest tests” in the region’s history.
He warned that the corrosion of security, erosion of communal values, and distortion of moral ethics threaten not only Northern Nigeria but the peace and prosperity of the entire country.
“Affliction in any part of the country is a setback for every part,” the President said, “We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed.”
Tinubu praised the ACF’s 25 years contribution as an “enduring conscience of Northern Nigeria,” noting that the Forum has provided advocacy, moral leadership, and a collective voice for millions across the region.
He commended its founders for building an institution that prioritises justice, fairness, and representation.
Also speaking at the occasion, former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon led renewed calls for unity and stronger regional collaboration as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) marked its 25th anniversary in Kaduna.
Gowon, represented by former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, said peace and harmony remained the most critical pillars for the North’s stability.
Reading the message, Sambo said the ACF was founded to champion moderation and national cohesion, adding that the forum had remained consistent.
“Unity, peace and harmony are not mere slogans,” he said, adding, “They are the oxygen for development and the foundation of our collective dignity.” He warned against divisive tendencies exploited by extremists.
ACF Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, recalled that the forum was formed in the 2000 to provide moral leadership at a time the region faced growing security and social pressures.
He said the challenges had worsened in recent years, citing attacks, abductions and the killing of a senior military officer as evidence that communities remained under threat.
“The government must find a way to end the violence rapidly. The consequences of failure, God forbid, are too frightening to contemplate.”
Dalhatu said the closure of hundreds of boarding schools due to insecurity had exposed the depth of the crisis. He appealed for stronger cooperation between traditional institutions, governors and security agencies, noting that while the efforts of security personnel were appreciated, “much more must be done.”
The event also featured the launch of an ACF endowment fund, with billionaire businessman Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu announced as chief launcher. Dalhatu described the initiative as a long-term investment in the region’s future.
In his remarks, Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, warned that Nigeria is confronting its most severe security crisis since independence, urging Northern and Southern leaders to collaborate urgently to save the nation.
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Delivering a goodwill message through Otunba Kole Omololu, Afenifere’s national organising secretary, Fasoranti said the country is “confronted by unimaginable violence, declining public trust, and the fraying of social bonds.”
He described the Silver Jubilee as a critical moment for reflection, adding that, “We have never had to deal with this level of insecurity. This is a sad moment for our country.”
Fasoranti commended ACF for 25 years of service and advocacy, noting that the forum has been a stabilizing voice for Northern Nigeria and a platform for dialogue, unity, and national cohesion.
This was even as Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani advised ACF to continue to serve as the intellectual engine room of the North, by guiding governance, shaping policy, fostering dialogue, and preserving unity.
Sani also reminded that the Forum remains a vital platform for the region’s stability and advancement.
He promised to ‘’work with the ACF, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our sister states, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to build a North that is secure, inclusive, prosperous, and globally competitive.’’
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, also revisited the courageous origins of ACF, from March 7, 2000, in Kaduna.
‘’As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us recommit ourselves to the founding ideals of the Forum, which are unity, justice, dialogue, and the pursuit of collective progress,” Uba Sani said.
On his part, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin expressed optimism that Northern Nigeria can overcome its persistent security challenges, calling on leaders and stakeholders to unite and leverage available resources to restore peace and stability across the region.
Barau said the North has the capacity to surmount insecurity, emphasizing that coordinated action and political will can replicate the successes seen in other parts of the country.
He congratulated the ACF on its Silver Jubilee, praising the forum for serving as a unifying voice and advocating for solutions to challenges confronting Northern Nigeria while contributing to national development.
On behalf of the Senate President and the Senate, Barau also honoured the founding fathers of the ACF, particularly those no longer alive, describing their foresight and sacrifice as critical to building a resilient North.
Barau referred to a trend analysis presented earlier, noting that while such reports may highlight problems, they do not reflect the North’s long-standing culture of resilience and determination to confront challenges head-on.
He acknowledged that insecurity in the region is a serious concern but stressed that similar threats exist across West Africa, and that solutions are achievable through collaboration, good leadership, and effective security coordination.
Highlighting the readiness of Northern leaders at the federal level, Barau said the Speaker of the House, the Deputy Senate President, and other leaders are prepared to work together with states and local institutions to address the root causes of insecurity.
He urged Northern governments and institutions to leverage increased revenues and engage the National Assembly to fund and support security initiatives, adding that where local resources fall short, the President is willing to intervene.
