The nineteen Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of state police being champion by the federal government.
The Forum also acknowledged and commended the unified efforts of member states in addressing numerous security and developmental challenges facing the region.
Speaking with newsmen after a closed-meeting of the forum which held Monday in Abuja, Chairman of the Forum and Gombe state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the governors have agreed to ramp up financial commitments to a multi-billion-naira regional security fund.
According to him the nature of modern security threats requires localized, intelligence-driven responses.
In a communique he read after the meeting, Governor Yahaya said: “The Forum reaffirms its steadfast commitment to continuing its support for the Federal Government, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, GCFR, in effectively countering evolving security threats. The Forum is dedicated to ensuring that lasting peace and security are firmly established throughout the region and the entire country. The Forum also appeals to all Nigerians to support the President, our armed forces and other security agencies, in the critical national assignment of securing Nigeria.
“The Forum acknowledges and commends the unified efforts of member states in addressing the numerous security and developmental challenges facing the region, noting that these efforts are already producing positive outcomes. Furthermore, the Forum reaffirms its resolute commitment to maintaining and enhancing these collaborative actions in order to build upon the progress achieved.
“The Forum applauds the ongoing efforts towards institutional strengthening and restructuring and reaffirmed its readiness to ensure that the NSGF is put on a solid foundation, one that enhances coordination, ensures continuity, and improves the capacity of Northern States for strategic engagement and policy implementation. To this end, the Forum further resolved to fully support digitisation initiatives of its Secretariat, headed by the Director-General.
“To determine and appropriately tap from the region’s taxable revenue, the Forum agreed to engage relevant consultants to work out modalities, using all available opportunities for the consideration of the Forum.
“The Forum resolved to continue its engagement with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer on the establishment of New Nigeria Energy Company (NNEC) to facilitate the implementation of the Sun Africa Project.”
Earlier in his speech, the Gombe State governor lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “leadership and support” in working with the National Assembly to create the necessary constitutional framework for the reform that will enable the take off of state police.
The Governor cautioned that kinetic military action alone would not solve the region’s woes. He pointed to a “deeply intertwined” web of socio-economic issues fueling the unrest.
“Insecurity in Northern Nigeria is deeply intertwined with issues of illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. If we are to achieve lasting peace, we must invest deliberately and massively in education [and] human capital development.”
The meeting had in attendance: Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Yobe state governor Mai Mala Buni, Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, Kogi state Governor Usman Ododo and Kano state governor, Kabir Yusuf, among others.
