Photo/TWITTER/ GOVERNORINUWA
Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) is considering a marshal plan to tackle economic backwardness, as well as a strategy to end security challenges, in the region.
The economic and security agenda are parts of the deliberation of the meeting of 19 Northern governors in Kaduna, yesterday.
In his opening address at the meeting, the Chairman of NSGF, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, said: “Economic development is paramount to our region’s prosperity. We consider economic development as the long-term solution to our security challenges in the region.
“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 North. I urge us not to lose focus, but to strive, sustain and enhance the legacies of our founding fathers.”
According to Yahaya, security remains top on the governors’ agenda.
“During our last meeting, we reaffirmed our willingness to work with the Federal Government to provide lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling our region.
“Since then, we have had various engagements with the National Security Adviser (NSA), service chiefs, coalition of northern civil society groups and other relevant stakeholders on the way forward for sustainable peace and stability in northern Nigeria.”
As the nation continues to deliberate on the issue of state police, he said, it is important to begin exploring state policing models built on the foundation of cooperation and collaboration among the northern states.
In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, reminded the governors that at the inaugural meeting of the forum on December 15, 2023, they had resolved to stand united in their commitment to the security and development of the region.
“We also resolved to address the environmental challenges affecting Northern Nigeria, which is threatening rural livelihood, pushing farmers into conflict with herders and adding to the general level of poverty and insecurity.
“Since then, we have individually and collectively been fashioning workable strategies and implementing some measures to tackle our security challenges. We have made remarkable progress in degrading criminal elements, laying siege to our communities.”
On the Marshall plan, he called the 19 governors to pool their resources together to develop their road, rail, solid minerals and energy infrastructure.
“Agriculture is another key area we can pool resources together to reinvent the economy of northern Nigeria,” Sani added.
