Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has dismissed as false, absurd, and inappropriate the claims that President Tinubu is opposed to the North.
He made this statement during a courtesy visit from the new leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at Government House Kaduna, describing the narrative as the work of individuals skilled in political manipulation.
Malam Uba Sani argued that, such elements were only interested in feathering their political nests and not the development of Northern Nigeria.
According to him, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has
been giving uncommon support to state governments in the North to address their myriad challenges.
The Governor further revealed that, Northern stakeholders must
tell themselves some home truths and move together to fashion a common strategy to address developmental
challenges, and confront the criminals making life unbearable for people.
He pointed out that, the new executive committee has emerged at a time of great challenges confronting the Northern region.
“We are confronted with difficult developmental and security questions. Criminal elements have been laying siege to communities in the North and reversing our progress on multiple
fronts. Our development deficits are scary and require urgent attention”
“In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria, via the National Bureau of Statistics, conducted its most comprehensive assessment of multidimensional poverty. The survey found that 63% of Nigerians, approximately 133 million people, are multidimensionally poor. Of these, 65% (about 86 million people) reside in the North, while 35% (close to 47 million people) live in the South”
“The North is not faring any better in the area of Education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) puts the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria at 18.3 million. Of this outrageous number of out -of- school children, about 70% are
in the North of Nigeria” UBA Sani stressed.
He further Stated that, it was clear that Northern Nigeria faces an existential threat and it is time for all hands to be on deck to pull the region back from the brink.
Governor Uba Sani also stressed that, Northern Nigeria only indulge in endless blame games, devoid of attempts at
soul searching or introspection.
“We have failed to ask ourselves
some vital questions. Where did the rain start beating the North? Who are those complicit in the underdevelopment of the North? What have we done individually and collectively to find solutions to the challenges facing the North?
According to him, the Arewa Consultative Forum ACF has a major role to play in building the required consensus for the best approach to
tackle the multifaceted challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
Malam Sani had also handed over to
documents of the office Complex donated by the Kaduna State Government to the ACF leadership.
The Governor congratulated the new Executive Committee led by Mamman Mike Osuman his election and wish him a successful tenure.
In a remark, the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, Mamman Mike Osuman said rural areas stand in great need of attention and transformation, given the growing scourge of multidimensional poverty and violent crimes ravaging the North.
“Dedicated and well funded rural development programmes such as yours have the potential to greatly mitigate the endemic insecurity and banditry going on across the country”
Mr Mamman Osuman disclosed that, ACF remain committed to articulating and defending the interests of the peoples of the North through it various activities.
The Chairman of the ACF informed Governor Uba Sani that they are planning to organise two important events in the coming months.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
