NSGF POISE TO ADDRESS REGION UNDER DEVELOPMENT
By Faith Awa Maji
THE Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), in Nigeria is poised to address the setback of the region under developmental.
They took the step as part of an effort to address the enormous challenges bedeviling the region in a meeting held Thursday 25th February 2021 at the Council Chamber of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
After extensive deliberations, resolutions were arrived at as read by Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum to include,
“The Northern States Governors Forum would to work assiduously and jointly with the Federal Government in tackling the challenges of insecurity in the Country to create a conducive atmosphere for socio-political economic growth and development of the Country.
“The Forum reiterated its commitments to work in synergy with their Southern counterparts and appealed to their colleagues to extend their presence in the northern part of the country in order to enable harmonious and peaceful coexistence among citizens and other ethnic nationalities.
“It was resolved that the Northern Governors Forum would partner with the traditional institutions, religious leaders and all relevant stakeholders in the entrenchment of communal harmony, peace and security of the region and the country at large”.
It was also resolved that the NSGF will “put more efforts in enhancing the security and safety of all schools within their domains and therefore, urged the Nigerian Security Agencies to collaborate with the various States Governments towards achieving this noble objective”.
“The Forum further resolved to “address all humanitarian challenges facing the internally displaced persons through provision of enabling facilities and re-integration back to their communities.
“That all the 19 States would work in synergy with the security agencies to address the intra and inter border porosity in order to arrest illicit / illegal border movement.
It has also resolved to “address the menace of ‘Yan’Sakai’ (Volunteer Vigilante Service Providers) in some States through meaningful engagements and legislation”.
It has again reiterated its commitment towards inclusion of the rural dwellers especially farmers/herders through the provision of equitable opportunities for socio-economic and political participation both in public and private sectors.
The meeting resolved to also collaborate with meaningful individuals and corporate organizations to invest in areas of Agriculture and Mining Industries in order to improve the economy of the Northern Region and Nigeria at large.
The NSGF called for “due diligence in the execution of the Federal Government initiative in its economic sustainability plan wherein N700 billion Naira is earmarked for the project in order to address farming, animal husbandry and other agro-allied business. This effort will create jobs opportunities thereby creating wealth for our teaming population”.
At the meeting, the Forum received various reports from the Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and resolved to look into the report for possible implementation.
Highlights of the meeting was presentations by individuals and corporate organizations for the promotion of the Region.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker and other Members of the National Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the President, Minister of Information and Culture, the Inspector General of Police, Director General of States Security Service, Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto among others.
