- Say our region has been grappling with challenges of insecurity, our human development indices have been declining
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Northern governors on Friday met in Kaduna over seemingly unending insecurity in the region, and called on the Federal government to find lasting solutions to it.
Though, they appreciated the Federal Government efforts in the fight against insecurity, the governors said more efforts need to be deployed to rid Northern region of terrorism and other other challenges.
This was the governors’ inaugural meeting since March 18 general elections in the country.
The Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) who is the governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Mohammed in his opening remarks also sent condolence message to the victims of Tudun Biri community where Army drone erroneously killed several residents, even as they observed one minute silence in honour of the deceased ones.
“Let me begin by expressing condolence to the people of Tudun Biri who are victims of the unfortunate bombing incident by the Nigerian Army unintended operations. We all witnessed the level of devastation and we all condemned the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and the entire people of Kaduna State.
“I want to assure you that all the Northern governors are working assiduously to ensure that the unfortunate incident is thoroughly investigated with the view to compensating the victims and take corrective measures so as to prevent future occurrence.
“As governors of Northern State, while we are commending the federal government over the fight against insecurity, we believe that more need to be done to bring an end to kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes and terrorism bedevilling our region.
“Security and development are connected and we must apply them collectively. Without security there will be no security because investors can only invest in an environment where there resources are secured. Infrastructure, educational development and agriculture can only flourish in the atmosphere of peace and security.
“Similarly our people can only go to farms and pursue other economic livelihood and other social activities when their safety is guaranteed. Therefore addressing insecurity, and other challenges is crucial to the overall development and we’ll being of the region. In this regard all the 19 Northern governors are united in our commitment in addressing those challenges”. The chairman said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the host governor, Uba Sani of Kaduna State also lamented the high rate of insecurity in the region.
He said converted efforts must be made by the governors to ensure even development of the region, and called for establishment of Command and Control Centre to coordinate joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the region.
“Our region has been grappling with challenges of insecurity. Our human development indices have been declining. For the Northern Governors Forum to remain relevant, we must forge unity among our people and collaborate on issues of development. We must fashion a Marshal Plan for the development of the North. Our situation is dire and requires concerted and sustained action.
“The vision for the design of a strategic agenda for the development of the north should be anchored on a core ideal that puts the people at the centre of our aspiration and drive. This is simply because the mandate we got to lead, emanated from the people.
“We must develop a Common Strategy and Operational Plan to tackle insecurity. We must establish a Command and Control Centre to coordinate our joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in our region.
“This effort at charting a new course for our region will come to nothing if we fail to provide strong leadership. We must therefore effectively mobilise our people around this common agenda, create the enabling environment, leverage the human and material resources of the region, deliver on our promises to the people, and at all times put the welfare of the people at the centre of our development agenda for the Northern Region.
“Regionalism, in the context of what the North represents, is an expression that is embedded in shared identity and purpose, anchored on the principle of mutual respect and cooperation between and among states.
“The people of the North, regardless of political, ethnic and religious inclinations, are one people, with a shared destiny, that are not driven by any short term consideration,” Governor Sani said.