From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani has expressed dismay that the Northern region has been grappling with the challenges of insecurity while human development indices have been declining.
Sani asserted this during the inaugural meeting of the Northern Government Forum (NGF) held at Kaduna State Government House, yesterday
He stressed the need to develop a common Strategy and operational plan to tackle insecurity in the Northern part of the country.
According to him, as leaders, they must establish a Command and Control Centre to coordinate joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the region.
The Governor also urged the Northern state governor to work together towards empowering the people as key production forces for the growth of the North.
He stressed that to achieve this, it will require deliberate policy designs and implementation, in ways that recognize the critical role of leadership in leading the initiatives.
According to him, 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.
He therefore warned that, for the Northern Governors Forum to remain relevant, must forge unity among its 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.
“We must therefore effectively mobilize 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 center of our development agenda for the Northern Region,” he said.
Going down the history lane, Gov. Sani noted that NGF was put together in the strong belief that as a forum that promotes the values of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity is critical to the search for sustainable solutions to the region’s development challenge.
