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Tag: northern governors

  • Group backs northern governors on trust fund, mining freeze, state police

    Group backs northern governors on trust fund, mining freeze, state police

    The Uba Sani Back2Back Movement (USB2B) has thrown its full weight behind the far-reaching security resolutions adopted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council at their recent high-level meeting in Kaduna, describing the outcome as “the most decisive regional security action in many years.”

    Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday night in Kaduna, USB2B Director of Stategic Communications, Khadija Mohammed, said the group had carefully reviewed the Kaduna declaration against insecurity and concluded that it represents a bold, coordinated and long-overdue shift towards restoring peace across the North.

    Mohammed hailed the decision by the governors to suspend all mining activities for six months and revalidate existing licences, noting that illegal mining has long served as a major revenue stream for criminal networks.

    “For the first time, the North is taking a collective economic stand against those funding insecurity,” she said.

    Read Also: NGF to name best performing state in health care Friday 

    The Movement also applauded the establishment of a ₦1 billion monthly regional Security Trust Fund, describing it as a “landmark victory” for long-term stability. According to the group, the unified funding model will strengthen intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities and cross-border operations—areas where states have previously struggled due to fragmented approaches.

    Reaffirming its long-held position, USB2B strongly endorsed the renewed push for state police, insisting that the North’s vast geography and evolving threats can no longer be managed by a centralised policing structure. 

    “State policing is not only logical—it is now a survival imperative,” Mohammed said.

    She further highlighted the prominent role of Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, whose “firm and strategic contributions” helped shape the clarity and urgency of the Kaduna Declaration. She noted that the Governor has become a “regional stabiliser and national voice on security reform.”

    The Movement pledged to mobilise public support for full implementation of the resolutions while engaging in advocacy and monitoring to ensure real impact across communities.

    “The North is standing together,” Mohammed declared. “Insecurity will no longer be tolerated, financed or enabled.”

  • Northern governors seek suspension of mining for six month to end insecurity

    Northern governors seek suspension of mining for six month to end insecurity

    • Endorse State Police, N1b monthly security trust fund

    The 19 northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend mining for six months in the region as part of measures in tackling banditry and halting criminal networks exploiting the sector.

    The leaders, who resolved to set up N1 billion monthly Security Trust Fund, also reaffirmed their support for state police.

    The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council converged on the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, for deliberations on the rising insurgency that has devastated the region.

    In recent months, only a few of the 19 states in the North were spared of banditry and insurgency.

    The governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, who read the communique at the end of the meeting, said northern leaders have identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity, fuelling armed groups, financing criminal gangs and destabilising rural communities.

    They urged the President to mandate the minister of Solid Minerals to subject all mining licences to a six-month revalidation audit.

    Yahaya, who chairs the NGSF, said the forum expressed deep concern about recent killings and mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe, and condoled with the affected families.

    The forum lauded President Tinubu for the prompt rescue operations that led to release of some abducted children, and the security agencies for battling insurgents and bandits.

    Yahaya said the region is united in backing every decisive step to crush the criminal elements.

    He said the governors and monarchs endorsed the push for state police, urging lawmakers from the North to move swiftly to actualise the constitutional amendments required for its operations.

    “The forum collectively resolved to work closely with the Federal Government under President Tinubu to turn the tide and ensure lasting peace and stability for our region and the nation,” he added.

    To strengthen regional security coordination, Yahaya said the forum approved creation of a Northern Security Trust Fund, to be financed by a N1billion monthly contribution from each state and local government, deducted at source under an agreed framework.

    He said the fund, with the proposed mining suspension, would disrupt key revenue channels for armed groups, boost law-enforcement capability, and support a unified security response in the 19 states.

    Yahaya said underdevelopment, illiteracy, climate change, unemployment and poor resource management should be addressed in parallel with military responses.

    Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the centralised policing model was grossly inadequate for a nation of over 230 million people and vast ungoverned spaces.

    Sani hailed Yahaya’s leadership and lauded other governors for their determination to safeguard their states despite mounting challenges.

    READ ALSO: It is satanic to say Edo is against investors, says Okpebholo

    He praised traditional rulers for their stabilising presence, describing their wisdom as crucial at this fragile moment.

    The Kaduna governor warned against what he called a “troubling trend” of politicising insecurity, accusing some opposition leaders of amplifying fear for partisan advantage.

    Sani said: “We must resist this behaviour. We have a President who understands the North, values the North, and consistently demonstrates respect for our perspectives.”

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, urged the governors to “double their efforts” and unite against the worsening security and other socio-economic maladies.

    He said: “As leaders, we need to really tell ourselves the truth. But I want to assure you — we are 100 per cent with you in this drive to make the North a better place, because we don’t have any other place to be.”

    Abducted Kwara monarch, six others out of bandits’ custody

    Kidnapped Ojibara of Bayagan community in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State Alhaji Kamilu Salami has regained freedom.

    The monarch and six others escaped from the bandits’ den, it was learnt.

    The monarch’s abductors earlier demanded N150 million ransom.

    It was gathered that the monarch and six other abductees from the neighbouring community were able to escape following an attack launched on the bandits by the vigilantes, who flooded the forests.

    A source said: “The vigilante team launched an attack on the bandits in the forests and engaged them in a gun duel around Eku Idaji, close to Igbaja.

    “Although, the Baale and the six other escapees are yet to arrive in the community, they have made contact with members of the community who confirmed what happened.”

    Gunmen kidnap farmer in Eruku again

    Four gunmen at the weekend attacked Eruku, Ekiti Local Government again, and abducted a farmer, simply identified as Mr Aasaru.

    The latest attack on Eruku is the second in a month and occurred barely a week after the Federal Government secured release of 38 abducted members of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in the community.

    It was gathered that the bandits attacked Aasaru in a farm on the road leading to Koro.

    Kwara State Police Command’s spokesperson, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the development.

    She said: “Police operatives from Eruku Division received a complaint on Sunday that four armed men invaded a farm on Koro Road, Eruku, about 1230hours, and abducted Aasanru, aged 40.

    “Upon receipt of the report, a joint team of police, military personnel and local vigilante members was deployed in the area for an intensive search and rescue operation.”

    She said efforts were on to secure release of the abducted farmer.

    ‘Fed Govt to expose terrorism financiers, tighten border security’

    Identities of terrorists and their financiers are to be made public by the Federal Government, Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has said.

    This is part of sweeping security measures to disrupt funding networks sustaining violent groups in the country, Bwala, special adviser to the President on Public Communication, said during a chat on a national television monitored in Lagos.

    He was answering questions on issues about Nigeria-US collaboration on the battle against terror, surge in attacks and the steps being taken to contain rising insecurity.

    Bwala, who noted that terrorism has evolved into a threat that extends beyond national borders, said the government was working on exposing those behind terror financing.

    According to him, the President has taken “far-reaching and tough decisions” to cripple the financial backbone of terrorists.

    “The lifeline of all terrorist activities is finance. When you cut the finance from them, it dies naturally. Previous administrations knew the financiers but were either unwilling or unable to act. This President is not going to tolerate that.

    “In the next few days, Nigerians will know who the terrorists are, and those funding them.”

    Bwala noted that terror groups operating often wield sophisticated weapons, surveillance drones and military fatigues, which clearly point to established financing channels in and outside the country.

    He referenced the U.S. strategy that defeated ISIS by blocking its financial supply lines, arguing that Nigeria must adopt a similar approach.

    Bwala said strengthening security along Nigeria’s porous borders was critical, noting that terrorists moving from the Sahel rely heavily on uncontrolled routes to transport arms, fighters and illicit funds.

    He added that recent attacks on schools, religious centres and remote communities have reinforced the need for a shift in strategy.

    According to him, terrorists now target schools and children, prompting revival of the “Safe Schools Initiative” under Ministry of Finance.

    Religious bodies, he said, have also been advised to strengthen internal security vigilance.

    On cooperation with the U.S., Bwala said Nigeria is seeking intelligence-based support rather than foreign boots on the ground.

    “If you bring foreign troops who don’t understand our terrain or asymmetric warfare, they will be killed like chickens,” he said.

    Instead, the government wants advanced drone systems, satellite imagery, technical surveillance and community-based intelligence to drive more effective operations.

    Bwala linked the recent rise in terror activities to two major theories:

    “Attempts by foreign interests to justify military intervention in Nigeria; and political sabotage ahead of future elections aimed at destabilising the government.”

    He added that criminal elements in communities have also taken advantage of the situation, while propaganda networks, including AI-generated fake news and cloned voices, were being deployed to fuel panic.

    Despite these challenges, he said global partners recognise Nigeria’s broader strategy and are willing to support efforts to dismantle the financing, recruitment and movement of terrorists in the country.

    Terrorism: NAF, UBEC partner for safer schools

    Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have partnered to strengthen security in schools as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to prevent terrorist infiltration.

    The partnership was formalised during a visit to UBEC by Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

    According to NAF spokeman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the CAS stressed the need for stronger ties between security agencies and education authorities to safeguard learning environments, especially in vulnerable areas.

    He said Air Marshal Aneke welcomed deeper cooperation under UBEC’s Safe School Programme to improve monitoring, accountability and protection of basic education facilities.

    The CAS also highlighted NAF’s contribution to secure an inclusive learning through its 20 primary and 13 secondary schools, adding that the service was upgrading facilities, improving digital literacy and supporting teacher development.

    He listed priority areas for partnership, including infrastructure support for NAF schools, joint teacher training, integration into UBEC’s digital education platforms and strengthened quality assurance.

    Air Marshal Aneke noted that enhanced collaboration with UBEC would boost deployment of safe-school technologies and modern learning systems.

    UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, welcomed the partnership, lauding NAF’s role in national development.

    She said no education system can thrive without safety, and pledged the commission’s commitment to technical cooperation that improves school security, learning outcomes and resilience in the basic education sector.

    Police intercept French, Arabic speaking migrants in Nasarawa

    Nasarawa State Police Command has intercepted several foreign nationals, mostly Malians, allegedly trafficked into the state under the guise of job opportunities abroad.

    Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed told reporters in Lafia that the migrants spoke only French and Arabic. He said intelligence showed that they were brought into Orange Market, Mararaba, Karu Local Government, where they were held for about a week.

    According to him, about 10:40 am on November 30, operatives acting on credible information raided a bungalow in the area and rescued 32 men and seven women.

    He said the victims were Malian nationals, except one Ivorian, adding that they were lured by a Malian, identified as Abdullahi Berter, who promised to help them secure jobs in France but instead trafficked them into Nigeria.

    The suspect, who reportedly instructed them to bring in more recruits for an unspecified operation, is at large. A manhunt has been launched for him and his accomplices.

    The commissioner said the rescued victims would be handed over to Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.

    Mohammed also announced the arrest of a suspected kidnapper in Kertyo Village, Obi Local Government. He said operatives, while acting on intelligence, arrested Abubakar Adamu of Adudu District, Awe council, adding that he led detectives to his Ruga, where an AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

    He is under investigation and will be charged to court.

    Police kill three bandits, foil planned attack in Abuja

    It was end of the road yesterday for three bandits in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Three of the gang members, who  were said to have planned to attack  some communities in Abuja   were neutralised by the police command  in a coordinated ambush on their hideouts in Kwali.

    Intelligence reports showed that the criminals had concluded plans to strike the community on or before December 1, prompting Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, to direct the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify operations and track the syndicate’s movement.

    FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the operation began after officers traced and arrested a key conspirator, Sani Mohammed Umar, also known as Boko, about 2:11 p.m. on November 30.

    His mobile phone, suspected to be the primary device used to coordinate the gang’s operations, was recovered from him.

    Though the police did not name the specific community targeted for the planned attack, Adeh said: “Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang responsible for the previous attacks and kidnappings in ACO and Dupa and Gwagwalada, as well as multiple robbery incidents in Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.

    He also admitted that his gang members were waiting for him at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, where they had converged on to begin their next planned community attack”.

    She explained that the Anti-Kidnapping team advanced into the forest about 11:01 p.m., reached the gang’s meeting point, and laid an ambush.

    Adeh continued: “On sighting the operatives, the bandits opened fire. The Police responded decisively, engaging the criminals in a fierce 30-minute gun duel, during which three of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with  ‘gunshot wounds”.

     Items recovered from the bandits include three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and 33 rounds of live ammunition.

    The police said a joint operation involving operatives and troops of 176 Battalion is ongoing, with teams combing the forest and blocking all escape routes. Medical facilities in the area have also been placed on the alert to report persons coming with bullet wounds.

    The commissioner hailed the gallantry of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information.

    Senate postpones National Security Summit ‘indefinitely’

    The Senate has postponed its planned National Security Summit, scheduled to begin in Abuja, yesterday.

    The Senate Planning Committee on the summit, at the weekend, wrote to invitees, notifying them of the postponement.

    Although some sources suggested the summit might hold in January, there was no official confirmation.

    Senate spokesman Adeyemi Adaramodu is yet to comment on the development.

  • Northern governors declare emergency on insecurity, poverty

    Northern governors declare emergency on insecurity, poverty

    …Govs Yahaya, Sani, Sultan warn region risks losing its future without urgent action

    Northern governors on Monday declared that the region stands at a dangerous crossroads, warning that insecurity and poverty threaten to erase its future unless leaders act with urgency, honesty and unity.

    The caution came at a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, hosted in Kaduna by Governor Uba Sani.

    The two-day summit brought together all 19 Northern governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs and civil-society groups to craft a coordinated strategy against a crisis the forum described as “existential.”

    Chairman of the NSGF and Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, set the tone with a sobering declaration that the North is “confronted with the grim reality of insecurity and poverty that seeks to undermine our very existence.”

    He said history would judge Northern leaders not by the projects they commissioned, but “by whether we bequeath to future generations a Northern Nigeria they can truly call home.”

    Yahaya thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he called “strong leadership and steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

    He condemned the recent mass abductions of schoolchildren in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Kano, Niger and Sokoto, as well as the Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe, extending condolences to affected families.

    The governor praised Federal efforts that led to the release of some abducted students but demanded continued pressure to free those still in captivity.

    “Education is the bedrock of our children’s future,” he said. “An attack on education is a direct assault on our future.”

    Yahaya noted that the security crisis “spares no one,” consuming both rich and poor, Muslims and Christians, young and old, and urged political leaders to resist exploiting ethnic or religious sentiments.

    He identified underdevelopment, illiteracy, climate change, unemployment and poor resource management as root causes that must be addressed in parallel with military responses.

    He placed millions of Almajiri and out-of-school children at the heart of the conversation, urging “decisive and coordinated actions to put every child in school.”

    The forum reaffirmed support for state policing, calling it “a critical and effective mechanism” needed to confront the region’s complex security landscape.

    It urged the National Assembly to expedite constitutional amendments to actualise the long-demanded reform.

    Governor Uba Sani reinforced the call, arguing that Nigeria’s centralized policing model was grossly inadequate for a nation of over 230 million people and vast ungoverned spaces.

    Sani hailed Yahaya’s leadership and commended fellow governors for their determination to safeguard their citizens despite mounting challenges.

    He also praised traditional rulers for their stabilising presence, describing their wisdom as crucial at this fragile moment.

    The Kaduna governor warned against what he called a “troubling trend” of politicising insecurity, accusing some opposition actors of amplifying fear for partisan advantage.

    “We must resist this behaviour,” he said. “We have a President who understands the North, values the North, and consistently demonstrates respect for our perspectives.”

    He urged leaders to embrace bold thinking and uphold the visionary legacy historically associated with Northern leadership.

    Delivering the traditional rulers’ position, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged governors to “double their efforts” and unite against the region’s worsening security and socioeconomic maladies.

    “As leaders, we need to really tell ourselves the truth,” the Sultan said. “But I want to assure you — we are 100 percent with you in this drive to make the North a better place, because we don’t have any other place to be.”

    He described the gathering as a fresh opportunity for serious reflection on threats to the region’s stability and the country’s unity.

    At the close of the meeting, governors issued a joint declaration pledging “collective resolve to work closely with the Federal Government under President Tinubu to turn the tide and ensure lasting peace and stability for our region and the nation at large.”

  • Four Northern Governors paying above N70,000 minimum wage

    Four Northern Governors paying above N70,000 minimum wage

    Niger Governor Mohammed Bago on Friday approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the State.

    The minimum wage, however, would take effect from November, 2024.

    Disclosing this to newsmen after an extensive meeting between the State Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), the Governor said that the State would be able to sustain N80,000 minimum wage for its workers.

    “This minimum wage is one that is very sustainable.  N80,000 is sustainable. We are sure that with our strides in agriculture, I am sure we can pay. We are creating civil service farm so that civil servants can be productive,” Bago said.

    Earlier, Lagos and Delta, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Gombe and Kogi, Enugu and Kebbi States promised to pay above the N70,000 minimum wage bill signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

    While a number of Governors have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.

    Here are four Northern governors paying above N70,000 minimum wage:

    1. Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe State) – ₦71,500

    Governor, Muhammad Yahaya signed an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress to pay ₦71,500 as the new minimum wage on October 15, 2024.

    2. Ahmed Ododo (Kogi State) – N72,500

    Governor, Usman Ododo approved N72,500 minimum wage for civil servants in the state with immediate effect. The Governor also suspended the tax burden on the approved sum for one year.

    3. Governor Nasir Idris (Kebbi State) – N75,000

    Governor Nasir Idris on Wednesday, October 23 approved 75,000 naira as a new minimum wage for the state civil servants.

    Read Also: Northern Governors vow to tackle insecurity

    Confirming the development, the chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the state, Murtala Usman, stated this while speaking with our correspondents.

    4. Governor Mohammed Bago (Niger state) – N80,000

    Niger Governor Mohammed Bago has approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the State.

    The minimum wage, however, would take effect from November, 2024.

    Disclosing this to newsmen after an extensive meeting between the State Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), the Governor said that the State would be able to sustain N80,000 minimum wage for its workers.

    “This minimum wage is one that is very sustainable.  N80,000 is sustainable. We are sure that with our strides in agriculture, I am sure we can pay. We are creating civil service farm so that civil servants can be productive,” Bago said.

  • How much shame can Northern governors endure?

    How much shame can Northern governors endure?

    Northern Nigeria is in tatters, politically, economically and socially. Almost everywhere you turn, the news is of death, destruction and despair as if we were a rudderless and leaderless people …

    The Bank of the North building in Kano, the Turaki Ali House in Kaduna and other tall buildings erected in several northern cities and towns in the 1960s and 70s were a sky-is-the-limit statement for the future of the northern private sector. That future is here, but we might as well return to the 1960s because Sardauna’s heirs now know only to erect silly flyovers in a region where the predominant means of township travel remains the human foot.

    —Suleiman A Suleiman in The North in tatters, Daily Trust, July 1, 2024

    The living reality in Northern Nigeria is very explosive. If anyone is interested in finding the practical meaning of the Hobbesian description of life being ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’, just look at what life is in Northern Nigeria. Indices of poverty, unemployment and inequality are beyond description. Conditions of schools and hospitals are, to say the least, depressing. The civil service, in virtually all the 19 states, is only a shadow of itself, with hardly any public service activity taking place. Our illustrious and respected traditional institutions have been devalued and reduced to a state of hopelessness. Most of our religious leaders and centres are far removed from God’s way of life. Few industries exist in the region. And on account of insecurity, agricultural activities, the mainstay of the economy of the region, is highly on the decline.

    — Salihu Mohammed Lukman, in Open letter to Northern politicians, Daily Trust, July 1, 2024

    The courage to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing realities in Northern Nigeria has been a rare commodity, especially when the speakers or writers are Northerners themselves. But the two writers cited above were hardly the first to point out the Northern problems in Nigeria. At different times, but largely in passing comments, highly influential Northerners had highlighted in various ways the multiple problems besetting the North. The list includes former Governor of the Central Bank and controversial Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai; and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. However, none had addressed the issues as comprehensively as Suleiman and Lukman.

    But, as I pointed out two weeks ago, the Northern problems in Nigeria date back to colonial times, when the erstwhile separate Northern and Southern Protectorates were merged into a single colony in 1914 in order to use the economic and human resources from the South to sustain the North (see The Northern question again: Facts unknown or ignored, The Nation, June 26, 2024). In the last two decades, these problems have been complicated by the scourge of insecurity that continues to decimate the region’s homes and farmlands. The social, economic, and political underpinnings of the region’s backwardness today, which Northern leaders have continued to ignore, provided the basis for the scathing rebuke of the present crop of Northern leaders by Suleiman and Lukman. In the light of this rebuke, how much shame do Northern leaders wish to endure over their negligence in developing their region all these years?

    But the most critical question now is what to do to solve the Northern problems and, by so doing, solve Nigeria’s problems. What should be done to make Northern leaders look inwards, rather than to Abuja, in order to develop their region? Let’s go back again to history.

    Read Also: Minister to northern governors: rise up to electricity asset vandalization

    According to Suleiman, the glorious North existed when it was a region by itself, following the foundation laid by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who was the Premier of Northern Region from 1954 until his assassination in a military coup on January 15, 1966. With various economic, educational, and political policies, Ahmadu Bello put his region on a path of development in order to catch up with the Western and Eastern Regions. The opposite has happened since his death.

    Hence Suleiman’s historical references in the opening quote and this one in the body of the essay: “… none of the North’s two layers of leadership – the federal government and the 19 state governors – has proven capable of reimagining in 25 years what Sardauna achieved economically for the region in 10”. Embedded in this comment is Suleiman’s rebuke of former President Muhammadu Buhari in the same essay for looking away while the North was being decimated under his watch, despite his campaign promise to unify the region. Never mind that Suleiman left out decades of military rule under Northern leadership, which did next to nothing to improve the fortunes of the region.

    An interesting takeaway from Suleiman’s reference to Sir Ahmadu Bello is the fact that there was a time in history when the North was on track for development, championed by Sir Ahmadu Bello himself. This implies that the North has lacked leadership for 25 years since the return to democracy. Perhaps Northern politicians need to be shamed some more.

    A close look at their bahaviour reveals several findings. One, each of the 19 state Governors has turned his state into a small fiefdom and then, with a few exceptions, milked the state’s resources dry. They are not bothered that, vis-à-vis the rest of the country, their state or region as a whole has the lowest literacy rate, the highest number of out-of-school children, the highest poverty rate, the highest unemployment rate, the lowest contribution to GDP, the lowest Human Development Index, and the most insecure.

    Two, the Governors allowed insecurity in their region to fester until it got mapped unto old historical wounds between Fulani and other groups, who owned the land and farms. The result is unbridled herder-farmer clashes, cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes. Some of these crimes have since spread across the country.

    Three, the same Governors and insecurity have compromised possible interventions by traditional rulers in their region, who are either threatened with deposition or kidnapped.

    Urgent solutions are necessary, which will require presidential and legislative actions. But that will be the subject of another essay.

  • Northern governors advocate deployment of digital technologies to address challenges

    Northern governors advocate deployment of digital technologies to address challenges

    Three northern state governors have advocated the consolidation of the gains of the immediate past administration in the areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and digital assets to address the challenges facing the country.

    They are Governor Babagana Zullum of Borno State, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

    Former Lagos State governor and immediate past Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola also joined them in their advocacy, saying Nigeria should keep an eye on Artificial Intelligence.

    They submitted the unveiling and public presentation of the book written by the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, at Fraser Suites and Hotels, Abuja.

    The book which chronicled Prof Pantami’s journey in public Service and his scholarly contributions to ICT and digital economic growth in Nigeria was titled: “A Scholar’s Journey Navigating Academia.”

    The event was attended by Former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, and former Minister of State for Budget and national planning, Clem Agba.

    Other dignitaries at the event were the former Governor of Gombe state Senate Danjuma Governor, the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari, former governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, and former Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen Sani Usman rtd.

    Governor Babagana Zullum who chaired the event said the previous administration achieved a lot in the areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and deployment of digital assets to address contemporary challenges and urged the present administration to consolidate on the gains.

    According to Zullum, the ICT sector witnessed an unprecedented turnaround and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), asserting that it enabled the government to earn enormous revenues from the non-oil sector.

    Zullum praised Prof Pantami’s dedication to public service, saying some of the challenges facing the country, especially in the areas of security and economic growth can be addressed with ICT and Digital assets already put in place.

    The governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Inuwa Yahaya who spoke in the same manner, said Prof Pantami’s name has become a household name in Gombe for the development he facilitated and the increase in digital literacy among the people.

    The governor of Nasarawa State, Sule congratulated Prof Pantami for putting the book together within the shortest period. He said he admired the former Minister’s advocacy for prioritizing skills above certificates as the solution to unemployment and poverty.

    Read Also: Killings: Northern governors laud Tinubu’s steps to curb recurrence

    According to him, digital skills and knowledge especially amongst Nigerian youths would create job opportunities and wealth, while youth restiveness would decrease significantly.

    Former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola said Nigeria should keep an eye on the usage of Artificial Intelligence as a dominant asset in digital technology,  asserting that “we are experiencing the new reality that’s changing understanding of the environment and our roles as a people “.

    Fashola urged Nigerians to read as many books as possible as Nigeria is rated as number 76 amongst countries with many book publications with over 300,000 titles in a year.

    The book was reviewed by Prof Abdulrasheed Abubakar, former Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, NUC,  while the event was anchored by Malam Garba Shehu, former Special Assistant on Media to former President,  Muhammadu Buhari.

  • Almajiri: Open letter to northern governors

    It is with a deep sense of concern that I present the pathetic and wretched condition of the Almajiri life with a view to finding a positive solution. The horrible tale of the Almajiri is not alien to you. You know him to be completely innocent, hopeless, voiceless Nigerian child who seems to be the only law-abiding citizen without any promising future. You will never deny the fact that his case is genuine that needs political will to address. You must have faith in him so that he can have faith in you. Let us all feel his severe pains. Let us recognize his human essence. Let us give him a chance to build his hope and fully utilize his human potentialities. You will agree with me that the Almajiri does not feel the soft touch of our human heart. We ought to present to him our human face and motivate him for high achievements. The primary purpose of this is to make him understand that he was never born to be an Almajiri but to be fully Allah’s representative on earth.

    We all know that the Almajiri is an abandoned child in a troubled world. He is a living vagabond whose future is very obscure and undefined. He is absolutely on himself, ignorant of the fact that he has legitimate and fundamental right to the share of the national cake. The system he is undergoing has given him the wrong notion that he is worth nothing in the society and possess no potentialities. Thus, your timely intervention for his sustained social security is fundamental.

    The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Charter on Rights of the Child both define a child as any one below the age of 18 years. Nigeria is a party to that convention and agreed to its various articles. Article 27 of that UN Convention recognizes the right of the child to a standard of living for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, and social development. Article 24 states that no child should be deprived of the right to health care services. Article 28 demands of the state to’ make primary education compulsory and available to all’. The term compulsory here denotes that the state should take measures to ensure that no child should be left without primary education. Article 31 insists that the child must have rest and leisure. It is therefore your duty to facilitate the entrenchment of these usurped rights of the Almajiri.

    We are all aware that these rights are not obtainable for the Almajiri child. He is the only Nigerian that has no accessibility to healthcare services. His ailments are religiously and traditionally treated or resigning to fate. The Almajiri is not enrolled in the primary education system to learn basic skills to prepare him for future economic life. The Almajiri does not know rest and leisure. From morning till night, he is battling to make ends meet begging for alms. He does not know how to play games to boost his physical being. Even the little time he has for studies is inadequate for him to acquire the best knowledge after rigorous toiling.

    Your Excellencies, you are fully conversant with the condition of the Almajiri which is very dehumanizing. It is for this reason that there were attempts in the past to address his predicament. In 1950, the government enacted a law to forbid the migration of Mallams and Almajirai as it happened in other states in the northern region. In the year 1980, the former Sokoto State government promulgated a law to regulate the movement of the Almajirai. The edict was entitled: the Control of Juveniles Accompanying Koranic Mallams Adoptive Rules. In 1987, the Kano State government set up a 10-member committee on the Almajiranci. And in 1997, the Sokoto government again set up another committee to advise it on how best to tackle the problem of the Almajiranci. The committee recommended among other things the rehabilitation of beggar- destitute in the state and the incorporation of Islamic Educational System in the New National Policy on Education.

    According to the United Nations Human Development Index, countries are measured in accordance with their economic prosperity, respect for rights and quality of the lives of their citizens. In respect of the Almajiri, you know that his economy is very poor, his right to dignity has been usurped and the quality of his living is very awkward. Thus, your greatest task is ensuring his promotion to the mainstream society so that he can feel a sense of belonging.

    With due respect, I would like to draw your attention to Malala Yousafzai’s empathic assertion. She declared and I quote, ‘Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world’. Her mentioning of one child changing the world calls for sober reflections. Indeed, the Almajiri child is not thinking of how to change the world. His thinking begins and ends with how to serve his stomach. The pen he is supposed to use is no longer his priority. It would dishearten Malala to discover that millions of Almajirai in our society are wasted because their human potentialities are neglected, underrated and untapped. Consequently, our world remains unchanged because we erroneously feel that the Almajiri has nothing to offer.

    Your Excellencies, the pathetic condition of the Almajiri should be accorded the priority it deserves because you have the capacity and resources to tackle the problem. Napoleon Hill submitted that, ‘If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way’. The opportunity is now at your disposal to right the wrong. You have the chance to consolidate on past attempts at reformation. The only way you can strike a difference from past attempts is to ensure a synergy which will produce significant outcomes. A conference on Almajiri would therefore not be an unworthy venture.

    Yunusa Zakari Yau and Festus Okoye conducted a research on the topic: The condition of ALMAJIRAI in the North West Zone of Nigeria. The findings of the research were published in 1999. It is imperative here to catch a quick glance at their recommendations for saving the Almajiri for your attention. One, that government should see reform as a means of addressing specific urban social problem such as bara and juvenile delinquency as well as a means of meeting educational needs of the citizens. Two, government should intervene through assistance and regulatory framework. Three, government should carry out public enlightenment programme to explain the rational of intervention. Four, government should enact appropriate legislation and set up effective machinery for their enforcement, to protect children from child labor and other forms of exploitations. Of course, there are other possible and practicable suggestions to these.

    In his famous poem,’Arewa: Jamhuriya ko Mulikiya’ Sa’adu Zungur warned us of the dire repercussions of Almajiranci. It is with profound optimism that I await your prompt and decisive action on this prolonged and devastating social problem.

    • Abdullahi writes from Galadanci Quarters, Ringim, Jigawa State.

  • …Northern governors mourn him

    Governors of  northern region of Nigeria under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum have  described as “shocking and painful” the death of former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie.

    In a message signed by its chairman and Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, and sent to reporters by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, the forum expressed their heartfelt grief  to  the  family members, Arewa elders, government and people of Katsina State over the demise of the late Coomassie,  who until his death, was chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, a body of elders from northern Nigeria.

    The message reads: “Northern Nigeria has again lost one of its legends to the cold and unseen hands of death. The demise of our elder statesman and chairman of highly revered Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is shocking to us and painful.

    “We share the grief of his family, all our elders within and outside the ACF, our brother, the Governor of Katsina, the Emir of Katsina, people of Katsina and indeed, all sons and daughters of northern Nigeria.

    “The late Coomassie served this country well and did his part to promote unity, peace and progress of northern Nigeria. We will forever be grateful to him and our elders for all they have done,  particularly in guiding those of us in the positions of leadership to work for the benefit of our people.

    “We will miss Coomassie’s sound counsel and advocacy.  We pray that Allah grants him Aljanna Firdaus and to his family and all of us, the fortitude to bear this demise”.

  • Northern governors back FG’s move to tackle insecurity, others

    Northern governors back FG’s move to tackle insecurity, others

    Northern States Governors’ Forum on Thursday called for strategic measures to avert further farmers/herdsmen clashes and articulate intervention plan for states affected by such crises.

    Reading the Forum’s communique to journalists after a meeting held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Forum, Governor Kashim Shettima equally urged Federal Government to declare state of emergency on drug abuse across the country.

    The governors restated their support for the federal government’s measures taken to tackle insecurity, farmers/herdsmen clashes and resolving the agitation for restructuring in the country.

    They also resolved to meet with pensioners of moribund New Nigerian Newspaper to address the lingering issues and restated their readiness to recapitalise the region’s investment flagship, New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC).

    The governors commended steps taken to reactivate the Kaduna Textiles Limited.

    The Borno State Governor said: “The Northern States Governors Forum met in Kaduna on Thursday, 1st March 2018 and deliberated extensively on security challenges and crises of development as well as other issues of concern, currently affecting the 19 Northern States. The Forum particularly discussed the lethality and widespread nature of the spate of communal clashes and emergent criminal activities like kidnapping and armed banditry in various parts of the Northern states.

    “The Forum, after a thorough and meticulous analysis of the incessant crisis between farmers and herdsmen especially in Benue and Nasarawa States, as well as other associated security challenges and the various factors that directly or indirectly contribute to the worsening situation, resolved to; render full and unequivocal support to the Federal Government in its unwavering commitment and dogged determination to address the multifarious security challenges in all parts of the nation.

    “The Forum extends its support to the Federal Government for the measures put in place to resolve the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen. Implementable and viable strategic measures should be initiated by governments at all levels to forestall future occurrence of any form of communal crisis.”

    The Forum also called for “articulate and comprehensive plan for states affected by the lingering crisis and strongly admonish political, religious and ethnic jingoist to avoid imputing religious, ethnic and political coloration to such conflict.

     

     

  • Attack: Northern governors visit Zamfara

    Attack: Northern governors visit Zamfara

    A delegation of Northern Governors’ Forum on Saturday paid a condolence visit to Zamfara to commiserate with people, especially Zurmi Emirate Council, over the recent massacre in the area.

    Some unidentified persons on Thursday shot and killed 40 persons in Birane village in Zurmi local government area of the state and injured many others.

    The forum’s Chairman, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno, led the delegation, comprising the governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), and Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa).

    At the palace of the emir of Zurmi, Shettima said they came on behalf of the people of Northern Nigeria to commiserate with Zamfara people over the attack.

    He described the attack as unfortunate and worrisome, adding: `It is very disheartening that some criminals decide to kill innocent people.’’

    Shettima prayed to Almighty Allah to reward the dead and give their families and relatives fortitude to bear their losses.

    He called on the people of the state to remain calm and continue to pray for Allah’s intervention to end the security challenges in the country.

    Shettima expressed the hope that with the efforts of the present administration, the country would overcome its security challenges.

    “We are, therefore, hoping that with these efforts, the current security challenges in the country, such as cattle rustling, kidnapping and all other forms of criminal activities will become history,’’ he  said.

    Responding, the state Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, thanked the governors for the visit and said his administration was making efforts in collaboration with the Federal Government to end the killing of innocent people in the state.

    He urged security agencies to increase their efforts and review measures toward addressing security challenges in the state.

    “I reported this case to the Presidency and I am going to continue to collaborate with security agencies to address the security challenges facing the state,’’ Yari said.

    NAN