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…Over 60 appointees counted on the spot
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
What apparently appeared like Northern head count of the Northerners appointed by President Bola Tinubu into his cabinet within two years in office took place on Tuesday at Arewa House, Kaduna to correct ongoing cry of marginalization by some socio-political organizations in the region.
The event was organized by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) for 2-day interactive session on government-Citizens engagement.
As soon as it was time for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume to deliver his speech, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi quickly called all the appointees to stand before the crowd in the hall for physical assessment.
Malagi said the appointment by Tinubu was just a “flash in the pan, because more are still coming and we will continue to attend your event whether you invite us or not”.
The theme of the was, “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity”.
In his address, the SGF told Northern leaders to exercise patience and support President Bola Tinubu to complete two terms of office from 2027 to 2031, so that North would comfortably take over the affairs of the country by 2031.
“Let me share with you what our leaders did in 1999, Pre Jos Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).They recognized and rightly too, that the only way to ensure our unity and territorial integrity of our dear country was to entrench in our minds and practice rotational presidency between the south and North.
“I salute the courage, sincerity and patriotism of those leaders such as
Chief Solomon Lar, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Shehu Dan Musa, Abubakar Rimi
Prof Suleman Kumo, Issac Shaahu, Prof Jerry Gana, etc. Their wisdom has paid off. This arrangement guaranteed stability of the polity. By this conception the North, the region that is so dear to me will be eligible for the presidency in 2031, not 2027. Let us walk this path together, with faith in our country and Renewed hope in our shared future. So we are all resolved in deepening our Democracy
“I am joined by a strong team of serving Ministers drawn from several critical sectors of governance to espouse the giant strides taken in restoring the socio-economic fortunes of our country in order to drive growth over the past two years of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had promised Nigerians impartiality in governance and a commitment to remodeling our economy, improving security, accelerating infrastructure, job creation and revitalizing agriculture.
“These have been further distilled into eight clearly defined priority areas that reflect the commitment of Government to driving sustainable growth, ensuring security and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.
“The economic reform strategies are designed to create a robust, diversified, and resilient economy. By fostering an environment conducive to investment and innovation, the administration aims to stimulate growth across all sectors, reduce unemployment, and ensure equitable wealth distribution.
“Security is the bedrock of national development. The focus here is on enhancing the capabilities of our security forces, promoting peace and stability, and ensuring that every Nigerian feels safe and protected, no matter where they reside.
“Through reforms, the government is unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s vast natural resources and energy sector. Through sustainable management, increased investments, and the adoption of modern technologies, the goal remains to drive economic growth and ensure environmental sustainability.
“Having laid the necessary background, let me now reflect on these priorities thematically, within the framework of governance and national renewal.The objective is to demonstrate that Renewed Hope Agenda has not merely been a campaign slogan but a pragmatic vision built on the pillars of good governance: transparency, accountability, participation, responsiveness, equity, rule of law, and inclusivity. It is important to expand on some of these issues because as at May 20, 2023, the economy of Nigeria was under severe stress and threats of collapse.
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The SGF extolled the virtues of late Sir Ahmadu Bello, saying he embodied the values of compassion, wisdom, selflessness and integrity.
Also speaking on the occasion, the governor of Gombe State and Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, reminded the gatherings that North believed in President’s Tinubu’s vision, voted strongly for him, contributed over 60% of Tinubu’s winning votes in 2023, saying that there was the need to continue to support for more development to the region.
“When candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood before us during the 2023 campaign, he made specific commitments to Northern Nigeria. The north, believing in President’s Tinubu’s vision, voted strongly for him, contributing to over 60% of Tinubu’s winning votes.
“Today, we gather not for empty rhetoric, but to examine those promises and assess the level of progress so far. What we find is an administration that has delivered meaningful results for our region despite facing significant national challenges. This shows that our democracy can only work when leaders deliver on their promises, and leaders can only deliver when citizens are engaged, and policies and programs are designed and implemented in ways that reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.
“I make bold to say that the evidence of progress is visible across our region. Thanks to Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda, many projects started by the previous administration are now racing towards completion. These include the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project, and continuation of drilling activities in Kolmani Oilfields. These projects, promise to bring industrial growth and energy security to Northern Nigeria.
“New infrastructure projects are also coming up, including various inter-state road networks like and the ambitious Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway that will connect Northern producers to southern markets, agriculture value chain initiative targeting northern states, expansion and upgrade of healthcare facilities all point to a deliberate policy towards uplifting the wellbeing of our people.
“On the security front, we have witnessed significant progress. Through coordinated military operations and improved intelligence gathering, over 300 bandit kingpins and terrorist commanders have been eliminated, disrupting criminal networks that terrorized our communities. While challenges remain, the trajectory is clear – the siege on our people is being lifted.
“The creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development addresses a generations-old challenge, providing a framework to modernize our pastoral economy. This administration has also demonstrated commitment to our youth through targeted grants and renewed efforts to tackle the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions and international partners.
“There is no doubt that the economic reforms undertaken by this administration, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate floatation, have come with debilitating side effects. However, these were necessary measures in order to stabilize our economy for long-term growth. The pain is real, but so is the progress.
“To sustain and build on these gains, all Northern stakeholders must play their part. Our state governments must complement federal initiatives with local investments in infrastructure and human capital development. Traditional rulers and religious leaders should continue their vital role in community mobilization and conflict resolution. Business leaders and civil society must maintain their constructive engagement.
“As we review engage with representatives of the Federal Government, let us do so with fairness and wisdom. The North’s partnership with President Tinubu’s administration has yielded concrete results, from infrastructure to security to governance. In 2027, we must reward performance and hard work, and by that measure, President Tinubu has earned our continued support.
“Our region’s decisive support for this administration was rooted in the understanding that the North-Southwest alliance is not merely political arithmetic, but a stabilizing force for national unity. As the late Sardauna reminded us in his autobiography: “The North’s strength lies in its unity with all Nigeria.”
“I urge us all to continue with our support for the Tinubu administration, in the spirit of national unity, harmony and progress.
“The true measure of our democracy is not found in campaign promises and slogans, but in what happens after the elections are over. Democracy thrives in the spaces we create for honest dialogue, in the accountability we demand from our leaders, and in the responsibility we all share to build a Nigeria that works for every citizen.
“Today’s gathering exemplifies how we should govern – not from the comfort of our offices, but in constant conversation with the people we serve. For when government and citizens work as true partners, there is no challenge we cannot overcome, no unity we cannot achieve, and no future too bold for us to build together”.
