FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Following the numerous challenges facing the north, the 19 Northern Governors Forum and traditional rulers yesterday converged on Kaduna in search of solutions to the identified problems.
The forum identified the ongoing blackout in the region as one of the problems that demands urgent attention.
Other issues of concern raised at the meeting, as gathered by our correspondent is the security concerns, economic issues and sustainable development priorities.
Chairman of the forum and Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, in his address, said the issue of Environment and recent flood incidents in many parts of the north serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to implement effective mitigation measures.
“It is a must to adopt policies that would promote environmental conservation, sustainable agricultural practices and responsible resource management as the deterioration of our environment exacerbates communal conflicts, particularly between farmers and herders, which threaten the stability of our communities.
“Addressing this issue holistically is crucial to not only preserving our natural resources, but also ensuring social harmony,” he said.
Yehaya added that they must deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, education and trade to harness the region’s immense potentials.
“To achieve this, we must partner the federal government and other stakeholders to build irrigation infrastructure like canals and waterways to divert excess water and channel them towards irrigation activities, thus enhancing rural livelihoods and safeguarding food security.”
“We are currently reforming the Northern States Governors’ Forum in order to strengthen its institutional capacity, which will enable it effectively address the region’s challenges.
“The ongoing restructuring of New Nigeria Development Company, NNDC, is also crucial, as it will serve as a catalyst for Northern Nigeria’s economic revival, thus paving the way for significant investments in critical infrastructure and strategic sectors that will drive sustainable development.”
A statement issued by the media aide to the chairman of the forum, Ismaila Uba Misilli, explained that the forum is focusing on charting a unified agenda to enhance regional cooperation and development, leveraging the north’s resources to promote long-term development.
According to the statement, Governor Yahaya has been engaging stakeholders across multiple sectors to implement actionable strategies to address security concerns that are disrupting agricultural productivity and driving up food prices in the region.
