• Declares enough of unproductive meetings, communiqués, promises without action
Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called on Northern leaders to move beyond rhetoric and adopt coordinated measures to address insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment across the region.
He warned that continued instability poses a grave threat to the North’s unity, prosperity and future.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya made the call on Monday while delivering a goodwill message at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The meeting was attended by governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs and representatives of the Federal Government to deliberate on the theme, “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria.”
Describing the security situation in the North as unprecedented and deeply troubling, the NSGF chairman said banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and communal conflicts have become the greatest threats to the region’s survival, weakening social cohesion, disrupting economic activities and stalling development.
“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he stated.
The Gombe governor linked the worsening security crisis to decades of socio-economic neglect, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and poor educational outcomes.
He noted that about 86 million people in Northern Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty, while the vast majority of Nigeria’s out-of-school children are concentrated in the region.
According to him, poverty, illiteracy and youth unemployment have created a fertile ground for criminal networks and violent extremist groups to recruit vulnerable young people.
To reverse the trend, Governor Inuwa Yahaya advocated comprehensive reforms, including the establishment of state police, greater investment in education and skills development, job creation, agricultural revitalization and stronger support for security agencies.
The NSGF chairman warned that Northern leaders could no longer afford silence, hesitation or unimplemented resolutions in the face of escalating insecurity.
“Enough of meetings that do not produce results. Enough of communiqués that are not implemented. Enough of promises that are not followed by action,” he declared.
The governor used the occasion to express condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar in the hands of bandits, describing the unfortunate incident as a stark reminder that insecurity spares no one.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also charged traditional rulers to strengthen community vigilance and intelligence gathering, describing them as critical partners in peacebuilding and security management.
“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he told the royal fathers.
In his remarks, the host governor, Malam Umar Namadi pointed out the numerous challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate pressures, drug abuse, farmer-herder conflicts and declining social values.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle insecurity through intensified military operations, improved intelligence coordination and stronger collaboration with state governments.
He cited the Northwest Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina as a positive step towards deeper regional cooperation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating crime and maintaining public safety.
He described the Northern Traditional Rulers Council as a vital institution and stressed that the stability of Northern Nigeria remains critical to national stability.
“We must sustain collaboration to confront emerging security threats on all fronts,” the IGP said.
Also speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, praised the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for their enduring role in peacebuilding and community mobilization.
The minister said the federal government is intensifying efforts to address both the immediate and underlying causes of insecurity through interventions in agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social inclusion, stressing that Northern Nigeria remains central to the country’s growth and prosperity.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, CFR, praised the presence of the NSGF chairman, saying it demonstrated the seriousness and commitment of Northern Governors to partner in addressing the myriads of challenges confronting the region.
He urged citizens to continue praying for and supporting their leaders at all levels, stressing the importance of leadership and the responsibility entrusted to those in authority.
The Sultan noted that leadership is a divine trust and that governors have been placed in positions of authority for a purpose.
He therefore called on all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at promoting peace, unity and development across Northern Nigeria.
He also emphasised the importance of retrospection, urging leaders and citizens alike to look inward, assess past actions and decisions, and work collectively towards finding lasting solutions to the region’s challenges.
