Published by Alphapressmedia
The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has challenged Northern leaders to move beyond repeated consultations and adopt practical, coordinated actions capable of confronting insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment threatening the region.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya issued the charge on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa State, while delivering a goodwill message at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, attended by governors, royal fathers, security chiefs and representatives of the Federal Government.
The meeting, themed “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria,” provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the region’s security challenges and the urgent need for collective solutions.
The NSGF Chairman described the current security situation in Northern Nigeria as deeply disturbing, warning that banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder conflicts and communal violence have weakened social cohesion, disrupted economic activities and slowed development.
According to him, insecurity remains the biggest obstacle to peace and progress, stressing that:
“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development.”
Governor Inuwa Yahaya attributed the growing security challenges partly to long-standing socio-economic difficulties, including poverty, unemployment and poor educational outcomes.
He noted that millions of people across Northern Nigeria are trapped in multidimensional poverty, while the region accounts for a significant proportion of Nigeria’s out-of-school children, creating conditions that criminal groups and extremist elements exploit for recruitment.
To address the challenges, the Governor advocated comprehensive reforms, including stronger security structures, establishment of state police, increased investment in education, skills acquisition, job creation, agricultural transformation and improved support for security agencies.
He warned that the time had come for leaders to match discussions with decisive implementation.
“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.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also expressed condolences to the Government and people of Katsina State over the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar by bandits, describing the incident as another painful reminder that insecurity affects everyone.
“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
The Governor called on traditional rulers to play a stronger role in community intelligence gathering, peacebuilding and security collaboration, describing them as critical partners in protecting communities.
“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he told the royal fathers.
The host Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, highlighted the multiple challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, including insecurity, poverty, 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 improved intelligence coordination, military operations and stronger cooperation with state governments.
Governor Namadi also referenced the Northwest Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina as an important step towards strengthening regional collaboration.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property, describing the Northern Traditional Rulers Council as a strategic institution in maintaining peace and stability.
He emphasized the need for sustained cooperation among security agencies, traditional institutions and government authorities.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, commended the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its role in peacebuilding and community mobilization.
The Minister said the Federal Government is addressing both immediate and underlying causes of insecurity through interventions in agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social inclusion.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, praised the participation of Governor Inuwa Yahaya and other leaders, saying it reflected the seriousness attached to addressing the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
The Sultan described leadership as a divine responsibility and urged citizens to support leaders working towards peace and development.
He called for deeper reflection among leaders and citizens, stressing that lasting solutions require collective responsibility, unity and commitment.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for stronger cooperation among governments, traditional institutions, security agencies and communities to restore peace and accelerate development across Northern Nigeria
