Governors of the 19 Northern States under the aegis of the Northern Governors’ Forum on Saturday met over the troubling security challenges in the region.

Members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, comprising the emirs and chiefs from the region, were part of the meeting, which witnessed an impressive turnout of almost all the governors in the North.

14 of the 19 Northern governors were in attendance. They are the governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal; Kaduna governor, Senator Uba Sani; Gombe governor, Muhammadu Yahaya; Jigawa governor, Umar Namadi; Kebbi’s governor, Nasir Idris; Adamawa’s governor, Ahmed Fintiri; Taraba’s governor, Kefas Agbu; Nasarawa ‘s governor, Abdullahi Sule; Yobe governor, Mai Malam Buni; Niger governor, Mohammed Bago; Sokoto governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Plateau governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Katsina governor, Dikko Radda; and Kogi governor, Ahmed Ododo.

Governors of Borno, Kwara, Kano, Benue and Bauchi were represented.

Speaking at the joint meeting of the Northern States Governors Forum and Northern Traditional Rulers Council at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, emphasised the need for collective action to drive regional development and tackle the troubling security challenges.

Yahaya, while expressing his condolences to the people of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe states over recent tragic killings, urged the federal government to review security strategies, emphasising the importance of synergy between federal, state, and local security architectures.

The governor noted that the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the northeast and violent killings in the north-central regions were major concerns that require immediate attention.

“We must work together to address the security challenges facing our region. It’s imperative that we enhance our security measures to protect our citizens and ensure their safety,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s security while noting the need for more effective strategies.

The governor highlighted the success of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Economic Council, and the National Assembly in resolving tax reform issues and hailed President Tinubu’s willingness to listen and work towards inclusive governance.

On infrastructure, Governor Yahaya expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, citing neglected projects such as the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line and the Kano-Maiduguri expressway.

He advocated for innovative financing options like public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds to bridge the infrastructure gap.

The governor emphasised the potential of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) in driving regional economic growth while stressing the need for proper restructuring, competent management, and effective oversight to restore NNDC to its former glory.

The governor also highlighted the importance of human capital development, particularly in addressing the Almajiri phenomenon and providing job opportunities for youth.

He emphasised the need for quality education and vocational skills to empower the next generation.

Yahaya noted the importance of proactive measures to mitigate farmer-herder clashes and climate-related challenges.

He emphasised the need for collective action to address environmental sustainability and promote regional development.

The governor acknowledged the invaluable role of traditional institutions in maintaining social harmony and urged continued partnership with them in governance and conflict resolution.

In conclusion, Governor Yahaya urged governors to rise above individual interests and work collectively for the region’s progress.

“Tangible’s impact on people’s lives is what will be remembered, not the number of meetings held,” he emphasised.

In his remarks, Kaduna State Governor and Chief Host, Uba Sani, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to addressing infrastructural deficits in the north.

Specifically, Sani praised the president’s initiative to revive the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway project.

“Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action,” he said.

He noted that the road connected the Federal Capital Territory to 12 states in the North Central, North West, and North East zones, serving as a vital link between the South and North.

The governor emphasised the need for a roadmap to address security, peace, governance, and development issues in Northern Nigeria. “We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results,” he stressed, urging the development of an implementation and funding strategy to drive progress.

Governor Sani, while welcoming attendees, commended the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, for their leadership.

“We have made progress on many fronts. But challenges remain. I urge us to hasten the development of a roadmap to address issues of security, peace, governance, and development in Northern Nigeria. Additionally, we must follow up on the roadmap with an implementation and funding strategy. We don’t have the luxury of time. Our people want results.

“I must not conclude this welcome address without commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria. One of Mr President’s key interventions in our region is the long-abandoned Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway. The road connects the Federal Capital Territory to about 12 states in the North Central, North West and North East Zones.

“It serves as a vital link for travellers moving between the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.
Mr President will go down in history as the leader who listened to the cries of the Northern people and took decisive action. We owe Mr President a debt of gratitude,” he said.